Here is the latest news from Nisei. Make sure to look at the events discussed in the articles below, including the club bike ride and the Asian Pacific Film Fest. Remember to mail in your election ballots or vote in person.

by Armand Gutierrez

Summer is officially over, fall is upon us, and soon it will be our favorite season for snow sport activities. I’m going to miss our ski week: the hustle and bustle of traveling with 50+ skiers, the traditional potluck dinner, the farewell dinner, and skiing with a great group of people. However, Tahoe skiing will be the main event for this season.

Giving, to Help Others

Last year NSC donated to the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Film Fest (https://svapfilmfest.org) to support their production of films germane to the Asia American and Pacific Islanders community. This year, we decided to once again support the SVAPFF with another donation for this year.

Last year, Sandy Kiyomura pointed out that she has been a volunteer ski instructor with Achieve Tahoe (https://achievetahoe.org). Achieve Tahoe leads the way in adaptive sports and recreation for people with disabilities. This year the board also agreed to make a donation to this organization.

Ready to Ride?

Tired of being inside all summer? Have the need to get out and finally get some fresh air and see the world around you? Then save the date for Sunday, October 18^th, and join bike leaders Rick Dumlao and Curtis Otaguro for an outdoor excursion at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Newark. See their write-up for details. 

On the Slopes at Tahoe

Last month I provided a list of possible scenarios for the upcoming ski season with respect to safety protocols. Turns out all of them will be implemented at Northstar, Heavenly, and Kirkwood (Vail organizations). Northstar and Heavenly are opening on November 20^th, Kirkwood on December 4^th. Squaw and Alpine have not yet announced their opening dates.

2021 FWSA Ski Week Trips

Although the Breckenridge trip has been cancelled, there are other ski-week trips available through FWSA. There are two trips scheduled:

• Sun Valley, 30-Jan-6 Feb. Currently there are 46 signups.
• Zermatt, Utah, a mini ski-week, 21-26 March, and signups are being accepted. Ikon pass accepted.

All NSC members are eligible to participate in FWSA events. Details for the trips can be found here: 

https://fwsa.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=623165&module_id=334799

If you have any questions contact me at president@niseiskiclub.org.

by Karen Soo

Tired of sitting on the couch watching game shows, movie reruns or depressing news reports?  Let’s go for a bike ride and get some air!  Rick & Curtis are planning a “socially distant” bike ride at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Newark, CA.  Coyote Hills is in the East Bay just north of the Dumbarton Bridge.  The roads are fairly flat dirt and paved roads.  Either dirt bikes or road bikes will do.  Along the way you will experience some marsh wetlands, hills, and salt flats next to the bay.  You may also see a variety of wildlife such as hawks, egrets, ducks, geese, fish, foxes, squirrels, butterflies, sheep, and deer.  Bring binoculars or cameras!

The trip is about 15 miles (shorter options available) and will take approximately 1-1/2 hrs.  We will start & finish at the home of Rick and Patty Dumlao.  There we will gather, get some water and inflate our tires.  Afterwards, we’ll have an optional BBQ lunch, snacks and drinks in the backyard.  Bring an appetizer if you’d like, but make sure it is “Covid acceptable,” i.e., wrapped or packaged for individual usage.

Where:  32452 Jacklynn Drive, Union City

When:    Sunday, October 18, 2020

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

Cost:     FREE for members and guests 

Bring $5.00 for optional BBQ lunch after the ride. 

SIGN-UP DEADLINE: Friday, October 16, 2020

What to bring: All riders MUST wear a helmet and should carry a pump.  Bikes should be in good condition.  You should bring a water bottle, spare inner tube, patch kit, tire levers, sunscreen, lunch and snacks to share (optional).  Due to unpredictable weather, a light jacket is suggested for cool weather conditions. Bring your mask. We must wear them while we gather and afterward at the BBQ (except while eating, of course).

Directions and Information:  We will send information 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. 

RSVP: Rick Dumlao       coyotehillsbike@niseiskiclub.org 

Curtis Otaguro coyotehillsbike2@niseiskiclub.org 

*Photographs of this event including participants may appear on the NSC website or in the newsletter.

**All participants must sign the Nisei Ski Club Waiver at the start of the ride.

All are welcome.  Minors under 18 must be accompanied with an adult. 

by Tina Woo

Once again, the Nisei Ski Club is proud to support the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest 2020 taking place from October 2-10. You may recall, last year the club sponsored Alternative Facts: The Lies of Executive Order 9066. Due to Covid-19, this year’s event is an all-digital event which offers flexibility for the film viewer. Over 70 films will be offered in 20+ categories, including documentaries, drama, culinary food and lifestyle, animation, immigration and social justice, and Asian American shorts. These films will inspire, offer hope, make you laugh, think, cry and generate memories.

A festival pass can be purchased for $50, which allows viewing all film packages at one low price. Alternatively, individual films can be purchased for $5 each and some films are “free” with a nominal donation. To view trailers, read a short film description and purchase tickets, log onto https://svapfilmfest.org

Please consider supporting this event which brings films about history, culture, heritage and community awareness.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Ken Oda, a former NSC member. View his obituary here.