NSC Hawaiian Luau Picnic: Sunday, August 10, 2025

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.

NISEI SKI CLUB LUAU PICNIC INFO

Join us and meet your fellow members.

Mahjong, Anyone? August 23, 2025

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. 

Date:            Saturday, August 23rd

Time:           11am – 3pm

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

Nisei Ski Club’s 4th Annual Pickleball Event- Sept 6, 2025

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

REPEAT PERFORMANCE – SF Giants VS LA Dodgers SAVE THE DATE:  Sunday, September 14, 2025

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

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 group of 4 attending.

Meet for Lunch @ 11:30am near the Crazy Crab’z Section 142 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

Mountain View Obon – July 19, 20 Volunteers Needed – Sign Up Link

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Come on out and volunteer your time to help the local community.

Mountain View Buddhist Temple is having their annual Obon Festival.

Dates – Saturday, July 19th and Sunday, July 20st.

This year, the Mountain View Buddhist Temple (MVBT) Obon Festival bazaar committee members had developed an online volunteer sign-up page for the various activities and booths leading up to the bazaar and during the two-day bazaar on Saturday, July 19th and Sunday, July 20th.

SIGN UP HERE https://sites.google.com/mvbuddhisttemple.org/obon2025/home OR https://sites.google.com/mvbuddhisttemple.org/obon2025/weekend-volunteer-sign-ups?authuser=0

In the past years Nisei Ski Club members had volunteered at the Obon Festival Beer booth. You know how that goes. A little pour, a little taste on the side. BURP..

Here is the link for the BEER BOOTH- Hurry before it gets filled up. SIGN UP PAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT MONTH

Thank you for stepping up to the plate to VOLUNTEER!

Everything from Soup to Sushi – Pan Sushi with Salmon, Tuna or Crabmeat

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Just a reminder, Nisei Ski Club picnic is taking place on Sunday August 10, 2025.

It would be great if someone step up to the plate to make this Pan Sushi.

Pan Sushi is a popular Hawaii potluck dish. It also makes for an easy DIY sushi meal at home. The layering ingredients (like crab, avocado, and cucumber) are flexible, just make sure you have rice and furikake.

Pan Sushi is a layered sushi dish. It typically consists of rice, crab/tuna/salmon mixed with mayonnaise, furikake, cucumbers, avocado, and tobiko. 

Basically, all of your favorite fun sushi roll fillings but layered instead of rolled. The ingredients are flexible and can be tailored to what you have on hand. Everything is layered and pressed together in a pan, hence the name Pan Sushi.

How To Eat Pan Sushi?

There are two main eating styles:

Scoop and Fold (with nori)
Take a big scoop of the pan sushi and put it on your plate. On the side of your plate are a few sheets of nori (seaweed). Put a spoonful of the pan sushi on the nori, and eat! It’s an extra easy version of DIY hand rolls. This is the more common version and the one I’m posting about today.

Pre-Cut Squares
For this method, you must layer the nori directly in the pan when making the pan sushi (make the nori the bottom and top layer of the pan sushi). Press tightly so that all the layers are packed. Refrigerate the whole pan sushi for an hour. Then cut into squares. Everyone picks up a square and eats it just like that. 

What Can You Put In Pan Sushi?

Pan sushi is super flexible. Everyone does their own version. There is no right or wrong, that is the beauty of it.

Make sure you have the basics (rice, furikake, etc), and then you can mix it up from there:

Rice
Pan sushi is usually made for a group, but I’ve just been cooking for two of us lately. I cook one cup of rice for two people.  After the rice is done cooking, remove from the rice cooker, let it cool for about 15 minutes and season with a mix of sugar, salt, and rice vinegar.

Furikake
You can use any kind of furikake you like. We usually get this Nori Komi Furikake.

Protein
Imitation crab is the most common protein for pan sushi. You can also use canned tuna or salmon, and even kamaboko (fishcake). I usually have salmon in the freezer so I’ll defrost a half pound fillet and bake it in the oven. Let cool and then flake it with a fork. You can also mix protein (I know some people love doing half imitation crab and half real crab).

Whatever protein you chose, flake/shred/dice small and mix it with a spoonful of mayonnaise. Why mayonnaise? Because 1) it tastes good, and 2) this allows you to spread the crab/tuna/salmon more easily over the rice. 

Cucumber
Cut the cucumber into small dice (or thin slices, up to you), and sprinkle with a little salt and mix. Set aside for 15 minutes. The salt will draw out the water and make the cucumber extra crisp.

Avocado
Whether sliced thin or diced, avocado is always welcome in pan sushi.

Tobiko and/or Ikura
Who doesn’t love tobiko and ikura! I like this as the top layer of pan sushi because it is most attractive (and also very delicious). Sometimes people mix tobiko with the crab/tuna/salmon which is also a good idea. If you want to go all out, mix tobiko with the crab/tuna/salmon (which is layered in the middle), and put ikura on the very top.

An extra tasty bite!

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

Serves 10

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Find a pan/container you want to layer in (I made this in a 6-inch round container). Wash and set aside.

2. Mix the tuna, salmon, or imitation crab with the mayonnaise in a bowl. Set aside. 

3. Put the prepared sushi rice on the bottom layer of the pan. Press the rice down with your hand or spatula.

4. Layer the mixed tuna, salmon, or imitation crab on top. Pat down.

5. Sprinkle a tablespoon of furikake on top. Then follow with a layer of cucumber and avocado.

6. Do one more layer of rice, pat down.

7. Then top with a tablespoon of furikake and ikura. 

8. Place the pan sushi in the middle of the table and put a big scoop on your bowl. Make small rolls/bites with sheets of nori. Enjoy! ^_^

Notes

To make sushi rice: Combine 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt in a small dish. Mix until sugar and salt is dissolved. Fold into 3 cups cooked rice.

Happy 4th of July

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

In honor of our country’s 248th Birthday Celebration, Happy 4th of July.

Have a great time with your family and friends. Be safe and watch out for those fireworks.

NSC President’s Message, June 2025

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

It’s June and the start of the 2025-2026 NSC season. Our recent elections resulted in a new Treasurer that will be taking over for our “retiring” Frank Chang. Thanks to all of you that took the time to vote (65% return rate), and you can read the full election results in Karen Soo’s article.

NSC Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic

The NSC Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic is scheduled for 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 will be in the Picnic Flyer.

2026 NSC Ski Week

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: You learn nothing from life if you think you are right all the time.

NSC Election Results for 2025-2026

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

The polls are now closed and here are the final results.

The Board Members for 2025-2026 on June 1 will be: 

  • President: Armand Gutierrez
  • Vice President: Jeanne Katsuro
  • Treasurer: Jason Ku
  • Trip Director: Karen Soo
  • Newsletter Editor: Karen Soo
  • Membership Director: Armand Gutierrez
  • Board Members at Large: Curtis Otaguro, Joel Hayashida, Jeff Honda, Roland Lee

Thanks for your participation.  These board members will be working hard to ensure you enjoy your membership in the Nisei Ski Club. If you are interested in helping out with specific tasks (like the picnic or the annual non-ski trip), please contact anyone on the board. Congratulations to all the winners and we wish all the best to the Nisei Ski Club in the coming year.

Nisei Ski Club Membership Drive 2025-2026

By Armand Gutierrez, presidente de membresía

It’s the start of June and we already have 57 members that joined in April and May. Looks like those people took advantage of the $5 discount by joining before the May 31st deadline. And by the time you read this that means you were too late and missed the deadline (there’s always next year). Included in the 57 are 15 new members and one former member:

Bobbie and Paul Uenten

Joel Ouye

Kenneth Ouye

Lorraine and John Tatsukawa

James Chan (former NSC board member, 2000-2002)

Sally Shimada-Lee and Corey Lee

Helen and Hal Lee

Luanne Morikawa

Jeff Harris

Elaine & Collin Fat

Norman Chin

The NSC board is continuing to meet monthly (via Zoom) and discussing plans for the upcoming season.  Thanks to Jeanne Katsuro’s effort in getting non-ski events for this season, starting with plenty of events for 2025:

  • 21 June, Saturday – Miniature Golf with Angela Ren
  • 13 July, Sunday – The SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers
  • 10 August, Sunday – Annual Membership/Luau Picnic
  • 23 August, Saturday – Mahjong Event with Judy Hom
  • And more on the NSC website

For other NSC events go to the Events & Ski Trips tab on the website at: https://www.niseiskiclub.org/events-ski-trips/, and for BAC/FWSA events go to the BAC & FWSA tab.

So with all this activity for this season there’s something for everyone and, most importantly, the board hopes to see all of you at the Annual Membership and Luau Picnic in August.

“SIGN UP NOW” PARK CITY / CANYONS, UTAH TRIP FEB 7th to FEB 14 2026

Send in your deposit to hold your space.

Nisei Ski Club Miniature Golf Saturday, June 21, 2025

by Angela Ren Nisei Ski Club Member

Miniature Golf

Bring your friends! Join in the Fun with Nisei Ski Club!

Date: Saturday, 6/21/25

Milpitas Golfland 1199 Jacklin Road

https://www.golfland.com/milpitas/

10 am to noon

$18/ per person

Lunch to Follow Join us!

Everyone is Welcome ~ Mini Golfer or Free Spirit!

Please join us for lunch at 12:45pm

Cheung Hing Seafood Restaurant

1235 E. Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas

NSC Hawaiian Luau Picnic: Sunday, August 10, 2025

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.

NISEI SKI CLUB LUAU PICNIC INFO

Join us and meet your fellow members.

Mahjong, Anyone? August 23, 2025

by Judy Hom , Board 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. 

Date:            Saturday, August 23rd

Time:           11am – 3pm

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

Nisei Ski Club’s 4th Annual Pickleball Event- Sept 6, 2025

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

REPEAT PERFORMANCE – SF Giants VS LA Dodgers SAVE THE DATE:  Sunday, September 14, 2025

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

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 group of 4 attending.

Meet for Lunch @ 11:30am near the Crazy Crab’z Section 142 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

Everything from Soup to Sushi – Spinach No Shira’Ae

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Shira-ae is a vegetable side dish mixed with mashed Tofu.  It is a little different from regular salad since there is no dressing like oil and vinegar.  Shira-ae is served chilled, so in a sense it’s like salad.  Shira-ae is hard to get in ordinary Japanese restaurants in the US, but this is a kind of food you can make on you own.

People outside Japan might not have eaten Tofu in mashed form.  They are usually cut into small cubes for Miso Soup or bigger square pieces for Nabe and so on.  Here Tofu has no shape and works as more like a “dressing” that combines together with other ingredients rather than a main component of a dish.  Tofu in Shira-ae is seasoned with sesame and soy sauce flavor, and it is a great side dish.

Vegetable used in Shira-ae is usually sliced carrots, spinach, Konnyaku (a firm jelly-like food made from konnyaku potatoes), green beans, and sometimes persimmons.  Vegetables are cooked and seasoned before mixing with Tofu.  This way the dish has a stronger flavor.

Konnyaku is a gelatinous food made from Konnyaku potatoes.  It is usually sold in a block, but also in a pasta or thread like shape (Ito Konnyaku, also called Shirataki).

Konnyaku is often used in Nimono (boiled and seasoned vegetables).  Konnyaku doesn’t have very much taste itself but absorbs flavors from seasonings.  It also provides a nice texture, a little chewy or springy.  It has a distinct smell, and you can boil it to lessen the smell before used in cooking.

Konnyaku is rich in fiber and low in calories. With little calories or fat, Konnyaku can be used as a substitute for starches when preparing low calorie dishes.

Suribachi.
Spinach No Shira’Ae

Konnyaku

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

Serves 10

Ingredients

  • 2 bunches of spinach
  • 1 block tofu
  • 2 blocks konnyaku, cut into matchsticks slices 1” long
  • 1 carrot, cut into thin slices 1” long
  • dash of salt
  • 1 c dashi
  • 3 tsp sugar
  • 3 tsp soy sauce
  • 2 Tb toasted sesame seeds
Ingredients

Sauce

  • 2 Tb sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp mirin
  • 2 tsp soy sauce

Directions

  1. Cook spinach. Drain. Rinse with cold water. Squeeze out excess water. Slice 1” long. Refrigerate.

2. Place tofu in clean cloth. Squeeze out liquid. Refrigerate.

3. Put carrots; ½ c dashi and dash of salt in saucepan. Cook until tender. Drain. Remove from saucepan and cool.

4. Put konnyaku, ½ c dashi, sugar and soy sauce in same sauce pan. Adjust to taste. Simmer until liquid is almost gone. Drain. Cool.

5. Grind sesame seeds in Suribachi. Add tofu and grind together.

6. Add sauce; mix well.

7. Add spinach, konnyaku and carrots. Mix well. Chill.

Mountain View Obon – July 19, 20 Volunteers Needed

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Come on out and volunteer your time to help the local community.

Mountain View Buddhist Temple is having their annual Obon Festival.

Dates – Saturday, July 19th and Sunday, July 20st.

This year, the Mountain View Buddhist Temple (MVBT) Obon Festival bazaar committee members had developed an online volunteer sign-up page for the various activities and booths leading up to the bazaar and during the two-day bazaar on Saturday, July 19th and Sunday, July 20th.

 Positions available – Will be updated next month https://sangha.mvbuddhisttemple.org/obon/

In the past years Nisei Ski Club members had volunteered at the Obon Festival Beer booth. You know how that goes. A little pour, a little taste on the side. BURP..

Here is the link for the BEER BOOTH- Hurry before it gets filled up. SIGN UP PAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT MONTH

Thank you for stepping up to the plate to VOLUNTEER!

Only in New York..

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

You know summer is just around the corner when the bongo music is competing with the roaring sounds of the subways…

NSC President’s Message, May 2025

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

May is here and that means it’s time to bring an end to the NSC 2024-2025 season. This was an exciting year with more-than-average snowfall in Tahoe, numerous non-ski events planned for the coming season, and a few accomplishments for last year:

  • Livermore Hike Event
  • Tiburon Bike Event
  • Annual Luau and Membership Picnic
  • Mahjong Event
  • Pickle Ball Event
  • NSC Potluck at Miraido Village
  • Sun Peaks Ski Week
  • FWSA Tignes/Val d’Isere Ski Week
  • Bowling Event

Upcoming Events

There are a several events coming up:

  • 10 May, Saturday – Hiking Event with Joel Hayashida
  • 21 June, Saturday – Miniature Golf with Angela Ren.
  • 13 July, Sunday – SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers at Oracle Park
  • 10 August, Sunday – Annual Membership/Luau Picnic
  • 23 August, Saturday – Mahjong Event with Judy Hom

For other events go to the Events & Ski Trips tab on the website at: https://www.niseiskiclub.org/events-ski-trips/.

Membership Report

There have been no new members and our total remains at 86. June is next month and that marks the start of the NSC 2025-2026 season, and it’s time to restart the upcoming season with a return of our standby events and a few new ones. Beginning this month you can take advantage of the $5 membership discount if you sign up and submit your membership form by May 31st (there were a few early birds in April). Please submit your application to Armand Gutierrez (Membership Chairman).

2026 NSC Ski Week

Plans for Park City for 2026 are in progress and final details are being worked on. Park City is on the Epic Pass and you might want to consider getting an Epic Pass for this trip. Online lift ticket prices are not exactly user-friendly and group rates are not available. The Park City flyer will be in the June Newsletter.

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

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

Board Nominations & Elections

The nominations process is complete and the next step is elections. The elections designee (that would be Karen Soo) has indicated there are two new nominations for Treasurer- Kristin Thornquist and Jason Ku.  Therefore, the slate will consist of the incumbents that are returning to the board and the two new nominees. It is important that you do vote because this is the first time in many years that there are two nominees for the same position and it will be decided by you, the membership. Both nominees have submitted a short paragraph on their qualifications so please be sure to read them. The election ballot will be distributed in the coming weeks.

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: Always choose life. Forgive everyone everything.

Nisei Ski Club Elections Are Coming Up

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Nisei Ski Club’s elections will be held in the month of May and we need you to vote. Most of the 2024 Officers and Board members are coming back for 2025. Sadly, Frank Chang / NSC treasurer is hanging up his calculator and Quicken program to pursue other interests. I think he’s after my Newsletter Editor position.

We want to thank Frank for his many years of volunteering for the club. Frank, the accounting books better be balanced to the penny before you leave. (Just kidding) Frank is so detailed. He will help guide the next elected Treasurer to get familiar with the books and procedures.

We have some exciting news this year where 2 NSC members were nominated to become the next NSC Treasurer. Here is a little background on our 2 nominees. Jason Ku and Kristin Thornquist.

Ballots will be going out next week. Please do your civil Nisei Ski Club duty and VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jason Ku

Jason and his wife are empty-nesters with two adult daughters.  He recently retired after 30 years working at Intel in various team leadership and engineering management roles.  He grew up in the Bay Area and developed his passion for skiing on the slopes of the Tahoe resorts.  He was introduced to the Nisei Ski Club by his uncle, Frank Chang, in 2018 for the Vail trip, and has enjoyed being a part of the various trips since.  He was able to spark the ski bug in one of his daughters, who’s joined on a couple of the Nisei trips as well.  Jason is also an avid cyclist, enjoys travel, and woodworking.  He holds an MS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Kristin Thornquist

I am a retired CPA with a Masters in Finance.  I currently serve as Treasurer for both BAC and Bay Area Waterski Club,  and past Treasurer for Apres Ski Club, SnowDrifters and Fun & Sun Watersports Club. So I’m pretty qualified.

My biggest hobbies are skiing (obviously) and travel.  I’m currently in China as I write this.  I’ve been to 61 foreign countries, with an even longer bucket list of countries to visit.  I also volunteer for an orphaned kitten rescue, and during tax season, I’m a volunteer tax preparer through VITA for low income taxpayers. 

Being retired, I still have plenty of time available to devote to being Nisei Ski Club next Treasurer.

A Turkey Strike in April

Jeff Honda – Board Member

Lucky strikers Judy Hom, Winston Fong, Curtis Otaguro, Lorraine Tatsukawa and Ann Cowels participated in the Nisei Ski Club bowling event on 4/6/25 at Fourth Street Bowl. Unfortunately, there were three walking wounded (Jeff Honda-shoulder, Jeanne Katsuro-toe injury, and Roland Lee-shoulder) who couldn’t suit up.

They and John Tatsukawa were there to both cheer on our high rollers and compare war wounds (see below). Our crew bowled three games each and although scores will remain unreported (per request!), Winston Fong swept the competition with high game, total pins and average! His impressive series include 1 turkey (three strikes in a row) and 1 double (2 strikes in a row).

Bowling Injury Report For the Fallen NSC Members

By Roland Lee  – Board Member

By Jeanne Katsuro – Vice President And friend John Tatsukawa

Record attendance – 3 fallen injured and lots of laughs. 

1st place prize winner: Roland Lee receives 500mg of extra Strength Tylenol.

Roland fell off a 5-foot ladder before the bowling event. He dislocated his clavicle and has 2 torn tendons. Roland is now a Lame Duck with a Broken Wing!

2nd place prize winner: Jeanne Katsuro receives 250mg of Advil.

Jeanne came to the NSC Bowling event. She was ready and prepared to bowl that day.

Unfortunately, Jeanne dropped her bowling bag which contained the bowling ball, 3 bottles of water, shoes on her little toe!  Yeow! She could not get her bowling shoes on!

After bowling and lunch, Kaiser emergency confirmed that her toe was NOT broken and it was a bone bruise.

                        Pain level 10 at time of the Dropped Bag

                        Pain Level now fluctuates between 3- 8


We sat in the injured section of the bowling alley and laughed our heads off.

We were sharing war stories of our injuries over the years!

It was so much fun!

            Once again, Roland takes top prize as the winner!

  • He has gotten run over by a car 4 times in his life
  • He has fallen off a 20-foot ladder and a 5-foot ladder
  • Plus, he was electrocuted!
  • He was a San Francisco Firefighter blown back off the 20-foot ladder from an explosion that occurred in the fire.
  • He was pushed back into a live wire and was electrocuted!

(Newsletter Editor Footnote- I think this guy is a cat with 9 lives.)

Jeanne only has bragging rights on the following:

  • 5 knee surgeries from snow skiing
  • 3 arthroscopies
  • 2 total knee replacements

Roland is on Tough Dude!  We were surprised that he is still walking!

            Roland’s response:  Next event, NSC will Sponsor a Wheelchair Race!

                                    $5 discount for Nisei Ski Club Members!

           
Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha!  We had fun, even if we’re all getting old!

NSC Spring Diablo Valley Hike & Stroll Saturday May 10, 2025

by Joel Hayashida, Board Member

Saturday, May 10 2025: Meet at Lafayette Reservoir Parking @9:30AM

Join the NSC for a beautiful spring Bay Area hike at the Lafayette Reservoir (East Bay MUD Link), and continue the fun by strolling the Walnut Creek Downtown Broadway Plaza (Link) zone “après hike” and explore the shops, brewpubs, and eateries led by former NSC President, Joel Hayashida.  The baseline 3-mile morning hike that encircles the reservoir (AllTrails Link) has gentle hills and refreshing water views.  Depending on group interest and abilities, we can also take the 4-mile Lafayette Reservoir and Rim trail Loop (AllTrails Link).  Along the way, we will see late spring flowers, trees, the lake, and perhaps wildlife!  Park at the Reservoir parking lot (Google Maps Link).  The all-day parking fee is $7 per vehicle and the kiosk accepts major credit cards and quarters.  Bring: hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, water…  Downtown Walnut Creek activity will be ad hoc but with a plan based on group interest.  Target eatery is True Food Kitchen in Broadway Plaza.
True Food Kitchen Link: True Food Kitchen | Seasonal Restaurant & Scratch Bar

Everyone invited to eat with us after the hike Approximate Time to meet: 1PM

Lafayette Reservoir Link: Lafayette Reservoir :: East Bay Municipal Utility District

Final details will be provided to signees via email around May 5, 2025.

Registration & Questions: Email Joel Hayashida at Diablohike@niseiskiclub.org

 First Name: ______________________________ Last Name: ___________________________________

Cell Phone: _________________________________ Email: ______________________________________

Please register so that we know you are attending and for more details.  We will email details on parking and plan for the NSC Diablo Valley hike and stroll within a week of this event!

92nd ANNUAL FAR WEST SKI ASSOCIATION CONVENTION

“Changes in Latitude”

Far West Ski Association’s 92nd Annual Convention will be held in Palm Springs, California.”  Hosted by the Orange Council of Ski Clubs. Far West is looking forward to coming back to Palm Springs, June 12-15, 2025.

Armand will be attending the convention and representing NSC as a voting delegate and as an FWSA International Travel team member. He will be there on Friday, 13th and returning on Sunday, 15th.