Yes, this is not really a missive, but close enough, I’m taking poetic license ….

PICNIC PICNIC PICNIC PICNIC PICNIC PICNIC
PICNIC PICNIC PICNIC PICNIC PICNIC PICNIC PICNIC PICNIC

Don’t forget that this Saturday’s BBQ and picnic at Las Palmas park in Sunnyvale!
Date: August 9   ~ Place: Las Palmas Park

For details, see this link: 2014 Picnic and Membership Meeting

JACKSON HOLE 2015 Participants

Those intrepid skiers and boarders who are going to on the Jackson Hole trip, don’t forget to choose your trip souvenir!  Many thanks to Karen for procuring such a wide variety of choices!  There are jackets, fleece sweaters, vests and ¼ zip tops!  Thou who tarry risk the loss of choices!

Oh, don’t forget that your 2nd payment is due by August 15!!

Those not going on this trip, well, you’ll miss out…

Speaking of Jackson Hole…..

President’s August Message and Membership & Jackson Hole reports

Here is President Armand’s Membership and Jackson Hole report, and, of course, we have his August 2014 President’s Message.  The President’s Monthly Message gives thanks to those who volunteered at the Obon Festival beer venue.

If you are interested in a San Jose airport departure for Jackson Hole, read the details in Armand’s Membership + Jackson Hole report.  A minimum of 10 San Jose departures are required to get the group rate which will have a higher cost than the SFO departure.

I, for one, am studying videos of Corbet’s Couloir in mental preparation!!

San Francisco Headlands Hike

And don’t forget about Hoyt’s August 17 Sunday hike through San Francisco’s Headlands where Hoyt will lead you through verdant trails, the old Sutro Bath ruins and the old Sutro Mansion site.  If the fog cooperates, you will have some spectacular views!
For more info, see: SF Headlands Hike.

White Water River Rafting with the Monterey Ski and Social Club

NSC members Fern Uehara Chan and her husband recently joined the Monterey Ski and Social Club on a white water rafting trip on the American River.

Fern reports:

What a lucky break that we were able to join the Monterey Ski and Social Club on their summer getaway weekend.  A big thank you to Amy McDonald and her team for planning this great weekend event.

Our final Saturday in June was the perfect window of opportunity between 100-degree days in the central valley. My husband Kevin and I who are Nisei Ski Club members drove through the rural hills between Placer and El Dorado counties. We wondered with a tiny bit of anxiety on my part. What quaint Georgetown and its beckoning outskirts has to offer?….

Read the rest of Fern’s report here : Nisei Ski Club Back Paddling with the Monterey Ski and Social Club

Until next month, your N.E.

~ President Armand Gutierrez ~

Can you believe that August is here and summer will soon turn to fall? Where did the summer go? Seems like there were a lot of chores I was going to do during summer and here it is August and they still haven’t been taken care of. Well, at least some chores are in progress: our Summer BBQ picnic is in the works, and the Jackson Hole ski week trip is progressing well.

Memberships went well for July, as well did the signups for the Jackson Hole trip. For details take a gander at the Membership and Jackson Hole reports.

At our last board meeting, held on Sunday, August 3, discussion mainly focused on our usual financial status, ski weekend trips, memberships, and the Jackson Hole ski week. Rest assured that NSC is financially sound, memberships is doing well, and there are a lot of signups for Jackson Hole. Yes, the club is doing well.

Mt. View Obon Festival

I would like to recognize and thank the following NSC members for volunteering their time to help out at the Mt. View Obon Festival held last month. Our volunteering effort is a reflection of our club members, which also gets recognized by FWSA/BAC.

1. Jenni Kaneda
2. Tom Ryugo
3. Haruko Nagaishi
4. Karen Soo
5. Curtis Otaguro
6. Hoyt Nelson
7. Frank Chang
8. David Uyeda
9. Ken Kato
10. David Miura
11. Tony Moy
12. David Schultz

NSC Picnic, August 9th

Don’t forget the NSC summer BBQ this month and we’ve got a great crowd showing up (new members, former members, and the usual regulars). Karen Soo has arranged for the food and beverages, and Curtis Otaguro will be in control of the grill. Bring a friend, bring an appetite, bring 3 one-dollar bills, and let’s have some fun at Las Palmas Park in Sunnyvale.

~ President Armand Gutierrez ~

Membership Activity

July continued in the tradition of the previous months with a good signup count.  There were a total of 24 signups, with two new members joining NSC for the first time, and 18 former member signups.  Currently we have 86 members, a membership count we haven’t had in years.

I would like to welcome the following new members:

• Gary Nordahl
• Mariana Guerrero

Jackson Hole Ski Week (24-31 January 2-15)

The Jackson Hole trip is progressing well. At the end of July there were 67 paid signups and I’m holding out for one more who is planning on signing up.

If anyone is interested in departing from San Jose then, please let me know. There are 20 San Jose seats available, but to secure the group rate, we need a minimum of ten people. Also, departing out of San Jose will cost an additional $80.  

The flight schedules for SJC are:

DL4570 24 JAN  SJC-SLC   6:10A-8:58A
DL4546 24 JAN  SLC-JAC  11:05A-12:08P

DL4546 31 JAN  JAC-SLC   1:15P-2:12P
DL4855 31 JAN  SLC-SJC   4:50P-5:56P

Karen Soo is already working on the souvenir gifts, so be sure to make your selection as soon as possible to ensure you get the right color/size. Also, the next order of business is for submitting your second payment if you originally paid a deposit. Second payments are due by 15 August.

~ Fern Uehara Chan ~

What a lucky break that we were able to join the Monterey Ski and Social Club on their summer getaway weekend.  A big thank you to Amy McDonald and her team for planning this great weekend event.

Our final Saturday in June was the perfect window of opportunity between 100-degree days in the central valley. My husband, Kevin, and I who are Nisei Ski Club members drove through the rural hills between Placer and El Dorado counties. We wondered with a tiny bit of anxiety on my part. What will quaint Georgetown and its beckoning outskirts have to offer?

With an expected 45 minute drive one-way, we decided to make it a day trip foregoing the overnight stay at the American River Inn.  Pulling into the parking, I felt intrigue with a tinge of regret; it was obvious what a special place this was.  Situated on the upper level of Main Street at 6600 Orleans, the American River Inn would prove charming not only in ambiance but also in service.  As I wandered through the Inn’s lovely welcome area and gift shop, the hubby began his usual ‘Meet & Greet’ with members of the Monterey Ski Club and assured me that the 15 minute ride down to the banks of the American River with our new found friends/saviors is a simple feat.

So thus began my adventure on the river.  Having never experienced rapids upwards of a level 2, and never on the American River itself, I hoped to return intact and not too soggy.  Due to the unlucky drought we are going through, the river offered perfect conditions for the faint of heart.  My companions with their intrepid spirits, yearned for more, but the river was on my side this day.  In one rapid instance, we were careening toward an out-jutting boulder, and Shirley held me back into the raft.  If not for the skill of Steven our guide, perhaps we’d have found our way out to the blue Pacific.  Still, for me, it was all a delightful whirl!

Needless to say, back at the Inn, I was grateful for some leisurely time to freshen up before the wine tour bus would return with my husband.  We soon made our way to the back lawn and patio where scrumptious appetizers accompanied by reds and  whites would welcome us – followed by a summer buffet supper of chicken, ribs, corn on the cob, salad, and luscious chocolate lava cake!  Then a quick stroll down to the corner bar with some die-hard MSSC friends allowed us time to share a few more stories & drinks and karaoke voices which either impressed or fizzled…depending on the ears of the beholder ….or how many drinks were had.   All too soon, it was time to say our goodbyes and take our leave of Georgetown heading back through the hills bound for home.

Thanks to Bob & Lucy for the safe transportation , Shirley for helping prevent my meeting up with the rock, Steven for his guidance, and to both Amy McDonald  and Karen Soo for their joint effort in reuniting the 2 clubs for such a lovely day/weekend in the hills.  Aloha & Mahalo to all until we meet again!