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.

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by Curtis Otaguro, Board Member

What activity blends exercise, freedom, and exploration in a rewarding adventure?  Biking of course!  A small group of NSCers, Greg, Virginia, and Wes joined me on an enjoyable 24-mile bike ride in the East Bay, passing through Newark, Union City, Fremont, and Niles Canyon on Saturday, September 20^th.  We started from Coyote Hills Regional Park, then along Alameda Creek towards the East Bay Hills, then back, making a detour to Niles Canyon, then returning along Alameda Creek back to Coyote Hills.

We headed out before 10 am under mostly cloudy skies with temperatures in the 60’s.  Perfect weather for biking.  I led the group with Wes riding in the back as sweeper.  I’ve been on this ride many times, but this was a first for everyone else.  Though not having ridden her bike for a year, Virginia pushed me to ride at a faster pace.  Greg rode a more leisurely pace followed by Wes.  As this was a “no drop bike ride”, we had regroups along the way and allowed people to rest when they caught up.

As we rode out from Coyote Hills, we encountered a gentle climb then a downhill track to Alameda Creek Trail.  After a few miles, we encountered several hundred goats fenced in along the creek as part of vegetation mitigation or “targeted grazing” for clearing the flood channel.  Did you know that their digestive system destroys most seeds, preventing the regrowth of invasive and fire-prone plants?  They truly are a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solution.  It was quite a sight to see!

The Quarry Lakes Regional Area came into view a few miles later.  This was followed by the BART line bridge crossing and then we finally reached the Niles Staging Area on Old Canyon Road.  After Greg and Wes arrived, I told the group that we would take a detour to visit the Niles Famer’s Market which is open every Saturday at the Niles Town Plaza.  So far, we had traveled just a little over 10 miles on our adventure.  The market was just over a mile away.

We doubled back along the trail, cut over Alameda Creek at Mission Blvd, rode up on Niles Blvd, and arrived at the farmer’s market.  It was a foodie’s delight with lots of fresh produce (regular as well as yellow and orange watermelons, peaches, pluots, and mushrooms) and baked goods (Kouign-amann from the Starter Bakery pop-up!).  After sampling some goodies and buying some baked goods, we headed back along the Alameda Creek trail to Coyote Hills.

After returning to the park, I quickly headed out to buy the Banh Mi sandwiches for lunch.  I wanted them fresh with a crispy baguette, so I didn’t buy them ahead of time.  Once I returned, we sat down for a nice lunch and enjoyed the pleasant weather.

This year’s ride was another perfect day on the saddle, shared by great company and scenic views.  We’d love for you to join the fun, so keep on eye on the NSC website for future rides and the our next event.

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. FWSF is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) autonomous public benefit corporation. 

Visit our shop to pick and choose your favorites and buy and ship your candy online.  It’s that easy!  The deadline to order is December 5, 2025.  Happy shopping and thank you for your support! https://www.yumraising.com/store/winter-2025-far-west-ski-foundation-cc9d/JanWyc5944

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/store/winter-2025-far-west-ski-foundation-cc9d/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 17, 2026

Starts at 10:30am

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 Jeanne Katsuro, Vice President

Kingdoms of Southeast Asia Vacation

October 28 – November 15, 2026

Only 21 spaces left

Sign up: Fast!  This is a Very Popular Trip! https://groups.gocollette.com/en-US/link/1337636

By Angela Ren, NSC Member

Vacation with Nisei Ski Club to the Painted Canyons of the West

April 19 – 27, 2026

Sign Up Now! Seat Reduction Date is Soon: October 19, 2025!

Only 16 seats left! Sign up at https://groups.gocollette.com/en-US/link/1337675

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Make this fun and irresistible Furikake Chex Mix for a holiday gift exchange, movie night, or potluck. This Hawaiian favorite blends crunchy cereals, pretzels, Bugles, and roasted green peas with a sweet-savory glaze and Japanese rice seasoning. Every bite is crispy, addictive, and full of Japanese-inspired flavor. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser you can personalize with your favorite mix-ins.

Furikake Chex Mix is a fun treat to make during the holiday season. Prepare a big batch, pour it into small jars or bags, and hand them out to neighbors and friends—This crunchy snack mix keeps well, travels beautifully, and everyone asks for the recipe without fail.

Just remember to toss the mix often while it bakes and cools so the pieces stay crisp, glossy, and separate—you don’t want them to clump and stick together!

• A homemade gift everyone loves – It’s perfect for holiday gifting, school treats, and snack swaps.
• Flexible and fun – Customize the cereals, nuts, and seasonings to create endless variations.
• Great for parties and snacking – It disappears fast at gatherings and potlucks. People can’t stop eating it!

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

Ingredients

• 4 cups Corn Chex
• 4 cups Wheat Chex
• 4 cups Honeycomb cereal
• 4 cups Bugles corn snack
• 2 cups pretzel sticks
• 1 bag Japanese roasted green pea snack (2.5 oz, 73 g per bag)

For the Seasoning

• 1 jar nori komi furikake (nori & sesame rice seasoning)
• 2 tsp shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice) (optional)

For the Syrup

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick, 8 Tbsp)
• 1/2 cup brown rice syrup (most recipes use corn syrup, but I use brown rice syrup for a healthier option with more neutral flavor)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1/4 cup neutral oil

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 250ºF (120ºC). Gather all the ingredients

To Make the Syrup

1. In a medium saucepan, melt ½ cup unsalted butter over medium heat. Then add 1/2 cup brown rice syrup,1/2 cup sugar,1/4 cup neutral oil, and 2 Tbsp soy sauce.

• Lower the heat to avoid boiling and stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat to cool slightly. Meanwhile, prepare the party mix blend.

To Prepare the Party Mix

1. Add 4 cups Corn Chex, 4 cups Wheat Chex, 4 cups Honeycomb cereal, 4 cups Bugles corn snack, 2 cups pretzel sticks, and 1 bag Japanese roasted green pea snack to a large baking pan with high sides.

2. Whisk the syrup again to blend well, then evenly distribute it over the party mix. Toss well with two silicone spatulas until evenly coated.

3. Sprinkle 1 jar nori komi furikake on top and toss well until all pieces are evenly coated. If you like it spicy, sprinkle with 2 tsp shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice), to taste.

To Bake

1.Bake at 250ºF (120ºC) for 1 hour. After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and toss the mix, then return it to the oven to continue baking. Toss the mix every 15 minutes (3 times total).

2. After 1 hour, remove from the oven and let it cool completely. As it cools, toss it every 15 minutes (at least 3 times) to break up the clusters so they separate and don’t stick together.

Nami’s Tip: If you skip this step and your party mix clumps, bake it for another 15 minutes until the syrup melts and the mix becomes loose again. Then take it out and be sure to toss it every 15 minutes this time!

To Serve

1. Enjoy! Serve right away or package it into airtight bags or containers for gifting.

To Store

1. You can keep in an airtight container or mason jars and store it in a dark, cool place for up to 2–3 weeks or in the freezer for 2–3 months.

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

See you in 2026 , Nisei Ski Club Officers and Board Members.

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

After budget cuts in 2024 forced Saks Fifth Avenue to cancel its beloved Holiday Light Show—a tradition everyone looked forward to—it truly felt as if the Grinch had stolen Christmas.

But this year, the magic is back. The Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Light Show has returned, bigger and brighter than ever. The Rockettes, celebrating their 100th anniversary, were also there to dazzle the crowd with their iconic high-kick routine.

On behalf of the NSC board, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year in 2026.

TURN UP THE VOLUME -COME VISIT!