by Karen Soo, Trip Director

There’s a new store that just opened up in Union City. I was contacted by the Account Manager of Columbia Sportswear. There’s a sale for Ski pass holders.

Ski Pass Holders Get Exclusive Access to the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store in Richmond and Union City until March 31^st.

Columbia Employee Store Invitation Details:

• Store is stocked with current season products from our family of brands – Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL and prAna – items are marked 40% below retail prices
• For store access, please provide your Ski Season Pass  
• Invitees can bring up to four additional guests with each visit
• This offer is for store access (not valid online)
• Valid at both our Richmond and Union City Employee Stores

Ski Pass Holder Access at Columbia Sportswear Employee Store in Richmond and Union City until March 31^st.

Union City https://stores.columbia.com/ca/union-city/employee-store-423

Richmond https://stores.columbia.com/ca/richmond/employee-store-426

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

In December I had plans for skiing Tahoe, a rarity since the snowfall is not usually good in December. To make up for not skiing in December I did spend two weekends in Tahoe and got in 4 days of skiing. I was pleasantly surprised that the snow was in good condition due to the cold temps that prevailed and the ability to fire up the snowmaking equipment. But alas, there still were runs that had bushes and little trees showing. Weather predictions are for rain to come to the Bay Area in February so let’s pray that Mother Nature blesses us with an abundant snowfall.

Membership Report

Let’s welcome Ann Cowels and Joyce Weiss as new members that joined at the NSC Potluck Lunch and our total is now 86 members.

2025 FWSA Summer Ski Trip – Valle Nevado, Chile

The Valle Nevado trip is currently taking applications and if you’re thinking about this possible once-in-a-lifetime ski adventure, then now is the time to step up to the plate and sign up. This is the first FWSA summer ski trip to Valle Nevado, Chile. This is a 10-day trip with 7 nights in Valle Nevado and 2 nights in Santiago. Lift tickets are included on this trip, and if you have an Ikon Pass a discount is available depending on the type of Ikon Pass you have. If you are interested then please contact me at your earliest convenience (president@niseiskiclub.org) or see the flyer for additional details.

2025 FWSA Summer Ski Trip – Valle Nevado, Chile

2025 NSC Ski Week

The Sun Peaks team is off to Sun Peaks for a week (1-8 Feb) of skiing, schussing, dining, and experiencing the Canadian way of life on the slopes. Bill Lee, our unofficial photographer, will return with his usual album of photographs chronicling our ski week.

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: Actions prove who someone is, words just prove who they pretend to be.

by Tina Woo, , Board Member

BEAT LA!   BEAT LA!   BEAT LA!

Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd;

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks,

I don’t care if I never get back.

Let me root, root, root for GIANTS (OR DODGERS),

If they don’t win, it’s a shame.

For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out,  at the old ball game.

Come see the 2024 World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers play against the San Francisco Giants. See the players: DH Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edman, Will Smith, Max Muncy, to name a few, including Most Valuable Series player, Freddie Freeman. They beat the New Work Yankees 4 to 1 in an exciting final win!!

Would you be interested in joining fellow Nisei Ski Club members in the classic battle between the SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers.  If so, please complete this survey.  How many tickets can we order for you:  Sunday, July 13, 2025  at SF Oracle Park.  Game time:  12:45 pm.

Name & Contact Info_________________________________

____ # of tickets you need? 

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

She would like to start the process of ordering tickets for the game.  View Reserved Section 313 beginning with Row 12.  Go Giants!  Go Dodgers! 

By Ida Gamban – Guest

On January 18th, the Nisei Ski Club hosted a potluck as a reunion for the Nisei Ski Club Eastern Canada Travelers and friends. Bringing together 45 members and guests to the Miraido Village Party Room in San Jose Japantown. This festive gathering provided a wonderful opportunity for attendees to reconnect, share exciting travel experiences, learn about upcoming adventures, and enjoy an afternoon of games and camaraderie.

Event organizer Jeanne Katsuro, along with Collette Travel Coordinator, delivered captivating presentations on past and future travel opportunities. Jeanne recounted her group’s unforgettable journey to Eastern Canada, while Laurie Miller from Collette introduced an array of breathtaking travel possibilities from cruising along the Black Sea in Europe to embarking on an exhilarating safari in South Africa.

Following the presentations, guests indulged in a lavish buffet filled with a delectable mix of Asian and American cuisine. The spread featured everything from a rich and creamy crab dip to savory pineapple cha shu bao, delicate somen noodles, tender pulled pork, and an array of other mouthwatering dishes. Dessert was equally impressive, with freshly baked pies, homemade cookies, and other sweet treats satisfying every craving.

As the afternoon continued, the spirit of friendly competition took over. Some guests gathered around card tables for a lively game of poker, while others engaged in spirited rounds of mahjong, Scrabble, and various board games. Laughter and conversation filled the air as experienced players guided newcomers through the intricacies of different games, creating an atmosphere of warmth and inclusion.

The club’s camaraderie was unmistakable, as members old and new bonded over shared experiences and new friendships formed. To top it all off, attendees were encouraged to take home leftovers from the feast, a perfect way to savor the event long after the afternoon had ended.

With good food, great company, and the promise of exciting travel adventures on the horizon, the Nisei Ski Club potluck was a resounding success, setting the stage for another year of unforgettable memories.

By Sandy Kiyomura, NSC Member

On Saturday January 25th, Seven Nisei Ski Club members boarded the United flight to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Who was on the trip? Elaine Graves, Roland Lee, David Uyeda, Jay Fukuda, Ed Lee, David Uyeda and myself, Sandy Kiyomura. We joined 135 others members from Far West Ski Association. At the airport, I saw an old friend, Jim Stewart from Rusty Bindings. I met Jim on a Far West trip to Japan, once in 2004 and again in 2017. Jim was such a nice person that he treated me to a nice breakfast.

We had a smooth flight to Calgary. Their mountains looked different than the ones in the Sierras. At Calgary airport, we took a bus to Banff. After settling in, Elaine and I went to registered and got my 5-day lift pass. Sorry to say, I only skied 2 out of the 5 days – details to follow.

We met up with the group that evening and we had Pho for dinner. The next day we were excited to ski Lake Louise. David Uyeda, Jim Stewart and I took the mountain tour. I wasn’t used to skiing so fast since I’ve only skied at NorthStar earlier in the month. Our guide Davide from Italy was excellent. He took us all over the mountain.  Guides usually cannot take skiers on black runs. We met up with more people after lunch and skied until 3:30pm.

The next day we went back to ski Lake Louise. I skied with Elaine and I’m happy I skied nonstop on a black diamond run. The run was called Meadowlark and I won’t forget it. We skied on this run right after lunch and I experienced a “weird” fall. I twisted and was falling backwards down the hill with my legs split. Ouch. I felt a pop and came to rest with my left ski uphill. A nice ski instructor, Cameron stopped and helped me. Once I told him I just had hip surgery a few months ago he called Ski Patrol and 3 patrollers got me off the slopes. Elaine said they were going really fast down the slopes, but all I could see was the sky. There was a small clinic at the bottom, but they sent me to the hospital via the ambulance.  After some X-rays, they determined nothing was broken and I probably tore my hamstring.  Elaine and Roland were able to help me back to the hotel by 8pm. So now you know why I only skied 2 days and have crutches and a wheelchair as my mode of transportation for the week.

There were many events planned during a Far Wes Ski trip, both on and off the slopes.

 I really enjoyed their dessert night. We attended Council night where Karen Albrecht announced that the exchange rate was so good that she gave each room a $62 bottle of wine in addition to the prime rib or salmon entrée. There was a picnic at the lodge at Lake Louise and a farewell dinner dance. Unfortunately, I couldn’t dance. SNIFF, SNIFF

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Baby, It’s cold out there.

New York encountered some cold, frigid weather in the past week. Hats, gloves and down jackets are definitely needed. It doesn’t feel this cold skiing in the mountains.

Nothing beats this weather with some hot soup to warm up this young body. This French Onion soup is a favorite of mine. You know the restaurants are charging between $9.00 to $12.00 for just a bowl of French Onion with the melted Gruyere cheese on top. Make it yourself. You can use half the recipe and smile after that first taste.

Enjoy!

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

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1hour 20 minutes

Servings: 4-6

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 to 4 large red or yellow onions (about 3 pounds), peeled and thinly sliced
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 2 quarts beef stock (8 cups)
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
• 8 to 12 (½-inch) slices French bread (from 1 loaf)
• 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt butter in a heavy Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and ½ teaspoon salt, stir and cover, letting onions soften for 5 minutes. Remove lid and let onions caramelize until golden brown over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Adjust heat if onions are browning too quickly. The caramelization process may take 45 to 60 minutes.

• Meanwhile, warm broth in a saucepan over low heat.

• Once onions are caramelized, add wine and sherry to the pot and allow mixture to come to boil. Stir in flour and let thicken for a minute or two.

• Slowly add warm broth, ¼ teaspoon salt and the pepper to the onion mixture and boil uncovered for 10 minutes. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

• Heat the broiler, and arrange individual ovenproof casseroles on a baking sheet. Ladle soup into casseroles, and cover top with bread slices. Sprinkle each casserole generously with Gruyère.

• Broil for a minute or two, watching carefully, until cheese melts and browns. Serve immediately.

Tip

• You can prepare the soup through step 4 up to 2 months in advance. Thaw and reheat, then top with the bread and cheese and broil to serve.

by Karen Soo, Trip Director

I love a sale especially when it comes to ski clothes. I mean how many ski outfits do one person need?

There is a new store that just opened up in Union City. I was contacted by the Account Manager of Columbia Sportswear. There’s a sale for Ski pass holders.

Ski Pass Holders Get Exclusive Access to the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store in Richmond and Union City until March 31^st.

Columbia Employee Store Invitation Details:

• Store is stocked with current season products from our family of brands – Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL and prAna – items are marked 40% below retail prices
• For store access, please provide your Ski Season Pass  
• Invitees can bring up to four additional guests with each visit
• This offer is for store access (not valid online)
• Valid at both our Richmond and Union City Employee Stores

Ski Pass Holder Access at Columbia Sportswear Employee Store in Richmond and Union City until March 31^st.

Union City https://stores.columbia.com/ca/union-city/employee-store-423

Richmond https://stores.columbia.com/ca/richmond/employee-store-426

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

The last time I visited Italy was 1997. Sadly, it was same year we lost Princess Diana.

Twenty-seven years later, I returned to Italy again for a friend’s destination wedding in Stresa, a town north of Milan. We continued to make this a longer vacation and traveled to Cinque Terre, stopped in Pisa for pictures, continue to Florence, Venice with boat trips to Burano, Torcello and Murano and back to Milan for the return trip home.

Time has definitely changed. We have the internet to plan and book our own flights. Booking accommodations from Booking.com and Agoda.com. These days you can “Skip the line” to visit the museums and see Italy’s sightseeing tours, attractions and excursions from Getyourguide.com and Viator.com. Travel blogs, Facebook groups and Instagram are just a few social media resources that were helpful in planning this trip.

After 3 days of wedding events, Curtis and I continued our trip to Cinque Terre. A 3 ½ hour train ride from Milan. Cinque Terre is located along the Ligurian coast of Italy, consisting of five picturesque villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Cinque Terre is known for its colorful cliffside buildings, beautiful hiking trails and breathtaking sea views. The area is part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The villages are connected by scenic trails, making it a popular destination for hikers and tourists alike.

There are so many people traveling these days. To avoid the crowds, we got up early in the morning and visited these towns. We were able to get some nice photos without any people around.  We did our share of hiking from Vernazza to Monterosso and Via dell’Amore.

The Via dell’ Amore, also known as the Path of Love, it connects Riomaggiore to Manarola. This scenic coastal trail offers breathtaking views of the Ligurian Sea and is an excellent opportunity for a romantic stroll with your loved one.

The new path had just reopened in August 2024.  It was closed for 12 years due to a destructive land slide that took out the side of the mountain. It took the Italian Engineers 12 years to engineer new anchors and create a new walking path for “lovers”.

Searching for good food is always a requirement on these trips. We ate a lot of fresh seafood with pasta and rewarded ourselves with gelato afterwards. We even squeeze in time to take a dip in the Ligurian Sea.  Salty sea water is good for the skin.

While taking the train to Florence, we made a quick detour to Pisa. With our carry-on luggage, we arrived in Pisa early in the morning at 8:00am and spent 2 hours taking those fun shots before the massive tour groups arrived. After the photo shoot, we hopped back on the train to Florence.

After we checked into our hotel, we went to the Duomo Firenze and admired the interior beauty of its architecture. We had a 6:00pm reservation to climb up to the top see a closer view of Brunelleschi’s Dome. (463 steps).  When we got to the top, we were greeted with view of Florence, with the sunset in the background.

The next day we had the “Skipped the line” passes to see the iconic Michaelangelo’s David (Naked of course). We brought advance passes to visit the Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens.

Florence is home to world-famous art and architecture, including masterpieces by artists like Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci.

Florence is also famous for its vibrant culinary scene. You can’t leave Florence without trying the Florentine Steak. We carnivores came out in style and devoured that steak.

From Florence we took the train to Venice. Again, massive crowds of people all around. Venice features a network of canals instead of roads, with gondolas and boats serving as the primary modes of transportation.

We took a tour of the St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the iconic Rialto Bridge. Also included with our tour was a ride on a Gondola. It’s my first time taking the ride and the Gondoliers do not sing like they do in Vegas.

On the next day, we purchased a 24-hour boat pass and went to the islands of Burano, Torcello and Murano.

One of my bucket lists was to visit Burano. It’s known for its vibrant, colorful houses and lace making traditions.  Burano is full of brightly painted buildings creating the perfect picture postcard scene.

Torcello is one of the oldest islands in the lagoon and less populated. Its peaceful to go there because there wasn’t a lot of tourists. The island offered natural landscapes with marshland and wetland.

Murano, famous for its glassblowing artistry. You can walk around the stores and see the intricate glass blowing art work.

It was nice to visit these islands. It took us away from the hustle and bustle of Venice.

The last place we visited before flying home was Milan, known for its culture and one of the fashion capitals of the world.

We visited the Duomo di Milan, one of the largest gothic cathedrals in the world. We had reservations to climb to the rooftop for breathtaking views of the city. I mean how often do you walk around the rooftop of a Cathedral?

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the famous shopping arcade lined with high end luxury boutiques and cafes. Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, as well as other high-end boutiques were there.

One of the highlight was seeing Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, the iconic mural housed in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

We had our last supper with friends at Osteria Treno. This restaurant that was featured in CNN Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy.

We had the regional Milanese Osso Buco with saffron risotto and it was delicious.

Curtis and I had great time on the trip. We didn’t get picked-pocket nor we lost our luggage. Traveling for 2 weeks is stirring up my interested on where to go next? The world is a huge place. Stay tune for 2025.

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Happy Valentines Day!!

Just a friendly reminder Valentine’s Day is February 14th, don’t forget to get your sweetheart flowers, chocolates and a Valentine’s card.

Here are some of my favorite “Love” tunes to get you into that romantic mood.

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

As of this writing the only Tahoe ski resort open is Mt. Rose. The other Tahoe resorts said they were going to open on November 21^st, but that didn’t happen. One look at their webcams shows why they aren’t open (yet).  Next to Thanksgiving perhaps the Christmas season is my favorite time of the year. There’s nothing like listening to Christmas music (old standards and new versions), watching the neighbors put up Christmas lights and decorations, and everyone getting into that Christmas spirit that permeates the atmosphere. And then again, it also means that the ski season is starting and the white slopes of Tahoe will once again become my playground. This is when Mother Nature does some of her best work, laying down a carpet of endless snowflakes and transforming the hillsides and mountain vistas into a true Winter Wonderland.

2026 NSC Ski Week to Park City, 7-14 February

The Park City trip is fully booked with 34 Park City Warriors occupying nine condos. Now all we have to wait for is Mother Nature to provide the snowfall for the season.

Christmas Greetings

This has been another good year for NSC with the many events during the year- membership finally broke 100 members (currently 106), a non-ski event to France, the annual Luau/Membership Meeting picnic, the One Warm Coat Drive, and Mahjong and Pickleball events. On behalf of the NSC Board I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it.

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

Last month I had hopes and dreams of getting up to Tahoe for some early skiing. And although the resorts did have a decent layer of snow on the ground it just wasn’t enough to open the main lifts and runs that I usually frequent. But Mother Nature has once again made several visits and created that winter wonderland that we all look forward to on the slopes. Since the Sun Peaks trip is coming up I definitely need to get up to Tahoe and start my season before the trip.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Welcome to the Chinese Year of the Snake! Yes, the Chinese New Year starts January 29^h and ends February 2^nd. People born on Snake Years (1929, 1941, 1953, etc,) are believed to be wise, calm, and graceful, with great introspective traits. Are you one of them? Do you know anyone with those traits?

Coming up on Saturday, 18 January, is an NSC Potluck at Miraido Village in San Jose, Japantown. See the newsletter for details.

2025 FWSA Summer Ski Trip – Valle Nevado, Chile

Is skiing in South America on your bucket list? It’s been on my list for a number of years and I can’t pass this one up. If you’ve skied Canada, and Europe, now is the chance to add Chile to your list. This is the first FWSA summer ski trip to Valle Nevado, Chile. This is a 10-day trip with 7 nights in Valle Nevado and 2 nights in Santiago. Lift tickets are included on this trip, and if you have an Ikon Pass a discount is available depending on the type of Ikon    Pass you have. If you are interested then please contact me at your earliest convenience (president@niseiskiclub.org).

2025 NSC Ski Week

Final arrangements for the Sun Peaks ski trip have been made and in less than a month we’ll be flying the friendly skies of Alaska to Seattle and then to Kelowna followed by a scenic bus ride to Sun Peaks.

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: Actions prove who someone is, words just prove who they pretend to be.

by Jeanne Katsuro, Vice President

Nisei Ski Club Potluck!

Save the Date!

Invite your Friends!

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Starts at 12 Noon

Ends when the Fun Ends!

Miraido Village in 550 N 6th Street,

San Jose, Japantown

Bring a Main Dish or Appetizer

We will take care of the salads, desserts & drinks

Let’s Play Mahjong, Card, Games and Let’s Talk Story!

IMPORTANT!

To let us know that you are coming! ~ Jeanne Katsuro

Please let me know what type of Main Dish or Appetizer you are Bringing!

Email: Subject Line “Potluck”

ClassicRock570@aol.com

by Tina Woo, , Board Member

BEAT LA!   BEAT LA!   BEAT LA!

Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd;

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks,

I don’t care if I never get back.

Let me root, root, root for GIANTS (OR DODGERS),

If they don’t win, it’s a shame.

For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out,  at the old ball game.

Come see the 2024 World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers play against the San Francisco Giants. See the players: DH Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edman, Will Smith, Max Muncy, to name a few, including Most Valuable Series player, Freddie Freeman. They beat the New Work Yankees 4 to 1 in an exciting final win!!

Would you be interested in joining fellow Nisei Ski Club members in the classic battle between the SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers.  If so, please complete this survey.  How many tickets can we order for you:  Sunday, July 13, 2025  at SF Oracle Park.  Game time:  12:45 pm.

Name & Contact Info_________________________________

____ # of tickets you need? 

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

She would like to start the process of ordering tickets for the game.  View Reserved Section 313 beginning with Row 12.  Go Giants!  Go Dodgers! 

2024 FWSA African Adventure Tanzania and Zanzibar

Sandy did not run into Mufasa but she did have an encounter with the wild beasts of Tanzania and Zanzibar. Check it out….

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of mochigome (a short-grain japonica glutinous rice, and sometimes other ingredients such as water, sugar, and cornstarch. The steamed rice is pounded into paste and molded into the desired shape.

In Japan, it is traditionally made in a ceremony called mochitsuki.  While eaten year-round, mochi is a traditional food for the Japanese New Year, and is commonly sold and eaten during that time.

Here is a microwave mochi that was taken from the Nisei Ski Club Recipe Book.

Enjoy!

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

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 8 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups mochiko
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups water
• katakuriko (potato starch)
• Pam spray

Directions

Mix mochiko, sugar, and water together in a bowl. The  mixture will be thin. Pour the mixture into a microwave-proof container that has been sprayed inside with Pam.

Microwave at low power for 3 minutes, then microwave at medium power for 3 minutes, and finally microwaved at high power for 3 minutes.

Allow to cool for a few minutes (but don’t let it get cold or it will be hard to work with).

Spread some katakuriko on a cutting board and place the (still warm) “mochi blob” [my son’s term] on the board.

Shape the “blob” into a long sausage shape and cut pieces off. Roll the pieces in a little mochiko or katakuriko so they won’t stick to each other. Cool and eat.

*Also good rolled in kinako (soy bean powder). If you  do this, allow the mochi pieces to cool before rolling in the kinako (or kinako may absorb moisture and get gummy).

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Happy New Year to you and your family in 2025.

I caught this episode on CBS Sunday Morning with Jane Paulie on 12/29. Do you recognize the interior?

https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/gIZ8ed0UnknCmp_ngIih3TTpHlvoD_jI

I hate to be they guy on the right.

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

The 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year animal is the Snake. Discover the meaning behind the Year of the Snake below.

As 2024 comes to an end, it is time for new goals, resolutions, and aspirations. New Year’s is a holiday many enjoy celebrating with loved ones, often performing superstitions to set a positive tone for the year ahead. However, the deeper, meaningful side of welcoming a new year—like 2025—is sometimes overlooked.

While most of the world celebrates the new year on January 1, others mark the occasion later. For instance, the Chinese New Year won’t take place until January 29, 2025. The event is actually a 15-day festival during which participants engage in various cultural traditions to celebrate the start of a brand-new year. A unique aspect of the Chinese New Year is that each year is represented by a zodiac animal, which can offer insight into what the year might bring.

What Is the Animal for the 2025 Chinese New Year?

In 2025, the Chinese New Year zodiac animal will be the Snake.

What Is the Meaning Behind the Snake?

The Snake represents those born in the years 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, and 2037. According to the Chinese New Year website, people born under the Snake zodiac are described as “cautious, introverted observers, cool and mysterious in behavior due to their suspicious and insecure nature. However, their armor conceals abundant sensitivity, wisdom, and passion that will surely surprise their few confidants.”

What Does the Chinese New Year Animal Represent for 2025?

According to the Chinese New Year website, While 2025 is a challenging year for Snakes due to their Ben Ming Nian, lucky stars offer strong opportunities for career and financial growth. Stay focused, take necessary precautions, and balance challenges with joyful events to make the most of the year.”

According to the website, here are some lucky tips for Snakes in 2025 to help avoid any unlucky moments:

• Lucky numbers: 1 and 8
• Lucky colors: Red and Black
• Lucky flowers: Camellia and Orchid
• Lucky directions: West and South

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

The recent rainstorms came just in time to provide enough snowfall to enable most of the resorts in Tahoe to open before Thanksgiving! Of course not all lifts or runs or open, but there still is skiing to be done. It’s been a number of years since I’ve skied in December, but I’m planning on it this time around.

Membership Report

Let’s welcome back returning member Angela Ren for the month of November and our total is now 82 members. Angela is a former member as Membership Chairman 2002-2003.

2024-2025 Far West Skier’s Guide

The annual Far West Skier’s Guide is now available for your viewing pleasure on the website at https://www.niseiskiclub.org/events/. This is their 37^th Annual Edition and the largest at 116 pages. It is jam-packed with information about Far West Ski Association programs, snow sports industry news, and feature articles from award-winning authors.  Also included is the Councils and Clubs section, a great reference for readers looking for a club to join. (NSC is mentioned on several pages, can you find them?).

2025 NSC Ski Week

The Sun Peaks ski trip is full with 22 people, and two FWSA friends that made their own arrangements and will be joining us on the slopes. Final arrangements are being coordinated with Sports America and now is the time for everyone to get a few days in at Tahoe before we leave for Sun Peaks. The photo was taken on 6 November and is the new West Bowl Express chair.

Christmas Greetings

This has been another good year for NSC with the many events during the year- a first-ever non-ski event to Eastern Canada, the annual Luau/Membership Meeting picnic, and Mahjong and Pickleball events. On behalf of the NSC Board I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: Truth does not mind questions, a Lie does not like being challenged.

by Tina Woo, NSC Member

Pickleball appears to be a very popular event for Nisei Ski Club. 

We had 18 sign-ups for the event but 2 dropped out due to illness and injury.  Nonetheless, 16 individuals signed up for the beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate/advanced group lessons with pickleball pros Danny Fong and Cindy Leonard.  Both coaches provided one-hour lessons and tips for the groups, followed by social play.  Instruction included pickleball basics, dinking, serving, game scoring, punching and strategy.  

We had 4 novice players including Sandy Jones, Angie Ren, Denise Shoda, and Brad Lum.  Advanced Beginners included Judy Hom, Helen Lok Lee, Lydia Santo and Lynda Won. Intermediate players included Emiko Cheek, Norman Chin, Winston Fong, Jeanne Katsuro, Sally Shimada-Lee, Tom Shoda, Mark Tsukuda, and Wendy Low Yee. Everyone seemed excited to play and look forward to informal get-togethers and a future Club event.  Some players proceeded to nearby Falafel Stop for lunch and lively discussions about the club and ideas for future social events.

Here’s an email from Sally Shimada-Lee

“Hi Tina, 

Thanks for organizing and inviting us to this annual fun event.  The facility, coaches, time of year were great. As you know, I think Cindy Lenard is a wonderful instructor and motivator. Lunch after was fun too getting to know more about the NSC and it’s direction. “

Smiles, 

Sally

by Karen Soo, Trip Director

The Far West Ski Foundation is conducting its Annual Winter See’s Yum-Raising to benefit its missions, with programs that include: U.S. Ski Team Junior Racing Scholarships; adaptive & rehabilitative snowsports programs; sustaining snowsports through supporting industry initiatives in climate control, youth/family development and diversity, plus support of underdeveloped athletic programs; and preserving its legacy through snowsports research projects, museums & libraries.

What could be sweeter than chocolate for a good cause?  Buy delicious See’s Candies to show your support for the Far West Ski Foundation.  The deadline to make a purchase is: December 6, 2024.

The overarching objective of the Far West Ski Foundation is to sustain snowsports to ensure that the inspirational experiences of snowsports will remain for future generations.  FWSF missions are:

The overarching objective of the Far West Ski Foundation is to sustain snowsports to ensure that the inspirational experiences of snowsports will remain for future generations.  FWSF missions are:

• Building for the Future – with its Athletic Scholarship Program for junior racers.
• Rehabilitation and Renewal – with its support of adaptive and rehabilitative snowsports programs.
• Sustaining Snowsports – supporting snowsports industry initiatives, such as, climate control, youth and family development, and diversity.
• Preserving the Legacy – with research, preservation, education and publication of snowsports history.

Visit our shop to pick and choose your favorites and buy and ship your candy online.  It’s that easy!  Ship to your family and friends!  Our storefront is located at the following link:

https://www.yumraising.com/secure/farwsf_far_west_ski_foundation51/JanWyc5944

The Nuts and Chews See’s packaged box is one of my favorites. If you feel like sending me box, I would not turn it away. Karen

Happy shopping and thank you for your support!

FWSF is an autonomous public benefit corporation, in compliance with law and regulations Under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code (https://farwestskifoundation.org).  For additional information please contact Jane Wyckoff, FWSF Vice President, 949-933-9607, fwsajane@gmail.com

by Jeanne Katsuro, Vice President

Nisei Ski Club Potluck

Save the Date!

Invite your Friends!

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Starts at 12 Noon

Ends when the Fun Ends!

Miraido Village in San Jose Japantown 550 N 6th Street

Bring a Main Dish or Appetizer

We will take care of the salads, desserts & drinks

Let’s Play Mahjong, Card, Games and Let’s Talk Story!

Email: Subject Line “Potluck” ClassicRock570@aol.com

To let us know that you are coming! ~ Jeanne Katsuro

by Tina Woo, , Board Member

BEAT LA!   BEAT LA!   BEAT LA!

Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd;

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks,

I don’t care if I never get back.

Let me root, root, root for GIANTS (OR DODGERS),

If they don’t win, it’s a shame.

For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out,  at the old ball game.

Come see the 2024 World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers play against the San Francisco Giants. See the players: DH Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edman, Will Smith, Max Muncy, to name a few, including Most Valuable Series player, Freddie Freeman. They beat the New Work Yankees 4 to 1 in an exciting final win!!

Would you be interested in joining fellow Nisei Ski Club members in the classic battle between the SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers.  If so, please complete this survey.  How many tickets can we order for you:  Sunday, July 13, 2025  at SF Oracle Park.  Game time:  12:45 pm.

Name & Contact Info_________________________________

____ # of tickets you need? 

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

She would like to start the process of ordering tickets for the game.  View Reserved Section 313 beginning with Row 12.  Go Giants!  Go Dodgers! 

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

These are one of my favorite cookies to make. The cookie is believed to have been created by Glaser’s Bake Shop, which was opened in 1902 by Bavarian immigrants in Manhattan. Many others believe the cookie began as “half-moon” cookies that were served at Hemstrought’s Bakery in Utica, New York. While it’s hard to tell where these cookies’ roots lie, each story shares one common element: they come from German food traditions.

Jerry Seinfeld made the Black and White cookie famous in one of his episodes.”Look to the cookie, Elaine. Look to the cookie”

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

Ingredients

Yield 12 to 14 Cookies

For the Cookies

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/3 cup sour cream or whole-milk yogurt
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), at room temperature
• 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature

For the Glaze

• 2 1/2 cups confectioner sugar
• Boiling water, as needed
• 11/2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• 2 ½ ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
• 2 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange racks in top and bottom thirds, and line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sea salt and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, milk, vanilla, lemon zest and almond extract.

3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.

4. Reduce speed to low and beat in 1/3 of the flour mixture, then 1/3 of the sour cream mixture. Repeat until both mixtures are incorporated, scraping sides of bowl as necessary. (Mixture will be the consistency of thick poundcake batter.

5. Dollop heaping 1/4-cup scoops Of batter onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. (You should have 12 to 14 cookies.) Bake for 6 minutes. Rotate the baking sheets. Continue to bake until the cookies have firmed up and spring back when lightly pressed in the center, 6 to 9 minutes. (They’ll brown only on the bottoms.) Take care not to overbake, or they will dry out.

6. Transfer baking sheets to wire racks and let cool for 15 minutes, then transfer cookies directly to racks to cool completely.

7. While the cookies cool, make the glaze: Place the confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl and whisk in 3 tablespoons boiling water, the corn syrup, vanilla and salt. Continue to whisk, adding more boiling water as needed, until you have a thick yet spreadable frosting that is the texture of hot fudge sauce. (Too thick is preferable to too thin.) Flip each cookie over and spoon glaze over half of its flat side, spreading to edges with the back of the spoon. Place on wire rack to set. You will have vanilla frosting left over.

8. Whisk melted chocolate into vanilla frosting, then whisk in cocoa and enough room temperature water to make a thick yet spreadable glaze. Glaze the bare half of each cookie. Let glaze set for at least 1 to 2 hours before serving.

Wishing you health, peace and happiness to you and your family.,, And the rest of the World.

See you in 2025 , Nisei Ski Club Officers and Board Members.

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Someone is hogging up too much space on the subways….

Where is Harley Quinn when you need her?