By Sandy Kiyomura, NSC Member

On February 21, Linda Moran and I joined 70 members of the Hawaii Ski club in Honolulu for their annual trip to Japan. This was my 4^th ski trip to Japan and I had never skied at Rusutsu, (neither had Linda). Hawaii ski club offered the week for $3500, which included air from Honolulu, a 5-star hotel, daily breakfast, 3 group dinners and 5 days of skiing.  I can see why the skiers in Hawaii like Japan. It’s a shorter flight; lift tickets are cheap ($50) and the food Oishi.

Our hotel, the Rusutsu resort was ski in, ski out and had an onsen. These are the requirements for Hawaii ski club when choosing a destination. The Rusutsu resort hotel had a variety of restaurants, and some offered music at night. I especially liked the Hokkaido cream puffs and ice cream. Hokkaido milk is very tasty and makes good ice cream and desserts.

Rusutsu is a small resort made up of 3 “mountains”. I found the skiing challenging, especially since it was icy the first few days. Although there was no fresh powder, the skiing was fun anyway. The views were breath taking and the company better.

Alan Teremura, the group leader provided daily tours. He’s an expert skier and I think my skills improved because of him. Did I mention that there were 8 members from NSC on the trip? Besides Linda and myself, there was Roland Lee and his wife Rosa, Karen Kimura and Sarah Lowe, and Jay Fukuda and Ed Ho from Hawaii.  It was fun skiing with them but also eating and “hanging out”. There was a double decker merry-go-round that Jay and Roland seemed to enjoy. The hotel also had arcade games (for kids big and small). Jay tried out his pitching skills on one and Roland tried “whacking a mole”.

After skiing 5 days, some of us took a trip to Sapporo. The bus ride was 2 hours each way, which gave us only 3 hours to shop and eat. We looked like we were on “the Amazing Race” looking for stores and food.  There was excellent ramen in Ramen Alley.

If you want to ski in Japan, the Hawaii ski club has a trip every year.  Everyone gets a lanyard with their name, a calendar for the week and a yen conversion table.  You also get a Hawaiian print ribbon to put on your helmet so you can recognize fellow club members on the slopes. The members are friendly and I felt welcomed.

PS: I went to Big Sky with them in 2012 and they will be going to Big Sky in 2027.

CHECK OUT THE SLIDE SHOW

by Jeanne Katsuro, Vice President

Meet at Lake Chabot Marina Parking @9:30AM

Please text Jeanne Katsuro 408-569-1415

Join the NSC for a beautiful Bay Area hike at the Lake Chabot Regional Park (East Bay RPD Link), and continue the fun by strolling the Castro Valley Creek Downtown (YouTube Link) zone “après hike” and explore the shops and eateries led by Led by Roland Lee and Judy Hom.

The 3.8-mile loop (396 foot elevation gain) hike that links portions of the Indian Cove, Ten Hills, Cameron Loop, and East Shore trails (AllTrails Chabot3) has gentle hills and refreshing water views.  Along the way, we will see early spring blooms,  trees, the lake, and wildlife!  Park at the Lake Chabot Marina Parking Lot (Lake Chabot Parking Entrance). 

The all-day parking fee is $5 per vehicle and the kiosk accepts major credit cards and quarters.  Carpooling is suggested.  Bring: hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, water… 

Downtown Lake Castro activity will be ad hoc with a plan but with a plan subject to change based on group interest.  The plan is to park at the Luckys.

Final details will be provided to signees via email.  Please sign up so that the hike leader can provide last minute fine-tuned details.

by Tina Woo, NSC Member

Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 11:00am – 2:00pm 

Sunnyvale Tennis Center

$20.00 per member

$25.00 for non-members

One of the 4 courts will be designated to teach Beginners how to play

Lessons will be given by intermediate Nisei Players.

Please bring a potluck item to share at 12:30 pm

We’ll play from 11:00-1:00pm – Snack and eat until 2 pm.

The Club will provide pickleballs and water

For more information email Tina Woo pickleball@niseiskiclub.org

Write Check Payable to Nisei Ski Club

Send check to Nisei Ski Club c/o Tina Woo, 21577 Villa Maria Court, Cupertino, CA 95014

by Judy Hom , NSC Member

Do you love mahjong? If you’re looking for somebody to play 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. 

For more information Email Judy at mahjong@niseiskiclub.org

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

These Italian almond cookies are one of the simplest and most delicious cookies. They’re soft, naturally oil-free, easy to make in just one bowl.

These are gluten-free Italian cookies made with almond flour, which is naturally rich in fiber and protein, gluten-free, and lower in saturated fat—without any added butter or oil.

Best of all, you can make these cookies in one bowl—ready in about 30 minutes, with no special tools required. They’re perfect for sharing with family or guests when you want something quick and homemade. Enjoy!

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

Ingredients

Ingredients

• 3 cups almond flour
• 2/3 cup powdered sugar + 3 tablespoons for coating the cookies
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 orange the grated zest

1. Combine Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 340°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper so the cookies don’t stick.

• Put 3 cups almond flour, ⅔ cup powdered sugar, 1 large egg white, 1 tablespoon honey and the grated zest of 1 orange into a bowl.

• Mix the Dough: Stir with a spoon, then use your hand to gently squeeze and pinch the mixture. It will look dry at first—this is normal! Keep squeezing until it comes together into one ball.

• If it still won’t stick after about a minute, add a tiny bit more egg white.

• Shape: Sprinkle 3 tablespoons powdered sugar onto a plate.

• Break off pieces of dough and roll them into small balls (you should get 15 balls—about 1 ounce). Roll each ball in the powdered sugar.

• Press and Bake: Place balls on the baking sheet, then gently press your thumb into the center so the edges crack a little.

• Bake at 340°F for 12 minutes. The cookies should stay pale and soft and will not spread. Let them cool before eating—this helps them set and taste their best.

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

In 2012 Curtis Otaguro and I went on the FWSA Chamonix trip (my first). We stayed at the Hotel Alpina, skied four of the ski resorts, skied the Vallée Blanche, and skied one day in Verbier (where I met my buddy). Well, here it is 2026 and I’m making a return trip to Chamonix, leaving on 26 Feb and skiing Chamonix from 1-6 March, then the extension week in Paris and Normandy (another first). The Hotel Alpina went through a major upgrade and is now the Hotel Alpina Eclectic.

In the past few seasons it seems like I always miss out on big snow dumps. Park City had poor snow conditions. That is, after we left it dumped 2’ of dry, powdery snowflakes. Then Tahoe got the big dump. Again, I missed out because of my upcoming trip to Chamonix. With all that snow in Tahoe I hope many of you will get up there for some great skiing.

Membership Report

Let’s welcome Katherine & Mel Young, Doug Higashi and Shari Fujii; returning members that joined in February and our total is now 113 members.

2027 NSC Ski Week

It was announced at the end of the Park City ski week that next year’s destination is Snowmass, CO, from 6-13 February. Look for details later in the year. Snowmass is on the Ikon pass and includes Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk.

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only option.

By Sally Shimada-Lee and Ski Buddies, NSC Members

From February 7–14, 2026, we had the pleasure of joining our first Nisei Ski Club trip to Park City.

I joined NSC one year ago and invited seven of my ski buddies to become members as well. We all enjoy skiing, playing pickleball and cards, and traveling—and eating—together, so this felt like the perfect opportunity to experience new adventures and meet new friends among the warm, welcoming members of the club.

Bringing together a group of 34 members takes a great deal of planning, organizing, and communication, and we truly appreciate the excellent job Armand did as trip leader.

Thanks to his hard work, the trip was a wonderful success, and we look forward to many more fun adventures with this active group in the future.

The locals even joked that we sunny Californians brought much-needed snow to Utah—and shortly after, our own Sierra Nevada received record-breaking snowfall as well. To all skiers: enjoy this fantastic season, and ski safely.

Tim Hadlock, New NSC Member

The February 2026 Ski trip to Park City/Canyons Ski Mountain in Utah seemed to go by so quickly.  During the week there the weather and conditions included everything from sunny Spring skiing conditions on Super Bowl Sunday to fog and thunder snow storms later in the week.   We all got in plenty of skiing and ended each day sore, tired, hungry, and happy.  The accommodations where we stayed, Snow Flower Condominiums, were conveniently located just next to the Park City Village.

This was my first trip with the club and I was impressed with how well organized everything was and how smooth the trip went.  Pretty much everyone was a new face to me; from our condo leader – Wes, to the others we skied with – David, Greg, Winnie, Wendy, Guy, Mary, and others.  Everyone got along well and we looked after each other on the slopes.  With some encouragement, I took on some new challenges to up my game on moguls and I made some progress. 

After long days of skiing some of us rested up in the heated pool/jacuzzi and then small groups would either go out for dinner or cook in the condos.  I felt lucky to have some good cooks in my group.  Even in an unfamiliar kitchen, they managed to cook healthy and tasty dinners for several nights (kudos to David, Greg, and Wes).  We ate out a couple of nights, one at a local Ramen restaurant which we walked and the other night we took the bus downtown to an Italian restaurant. The walls of the restaurant were covered in framed quotes about food.  One I liked was:

“Fish . . . to taste right must swim three times – in water, in butter, and in wine.

A Polish Proverb”

We had two nights during the trip where everyone got together. The first get together was to watch the Super Bowl and the other was “Pot Luck” night.  At the Super Bowl party there were lots of snacks and at the Pot Luck party every condo brought a main course and a dessert.  There was plenty of great food and everyone enjoyed the get together.

A big thanks to Armand, the condo leaders, and everyone else who helped make the trip a success!

Check out the slideshow….

by Sandy Kiyomura, NSC Member

In January, seven NSC adventurers set off for Crested Butte, joining nearly 150 skiers from every corner of the country for the Far West Ski Association’s annual ski week.

Crested Butte itself feels like it was plucked straight from a storybook — a tiny, gingerbread‑trimmed town tucked outside Gunnison, Colorado, where every storefront looks dusted with powdered sugar and the mountains rise like hand‑painted backdrops. Colorado never skimps on scenery, but Crested Butte has a charm all its own.

The cold was the kind that makes your breath sparkle — minus four degrees — yet somehow it didn’t bite the way you’d expect. A few of us kept warm the old‑fashioned way: skiing fast enough that the wind couldn’t catch us. With the low snowpack closing the double blacks runs, we carved long, easy arcs down the blues, cruising nearly 20,000 vertical feet a day.

At the welcome reception, the NSC crew gathered — Dan Lew, Kathy Fang, Carol Henri, Elaine Graves, Judy Bracken, and Sandy Kiyomura — with Jim Stewart somewhere just out of frame. Along the way we picked up a new friend, Sandra Mirones from LA, who slipped seamlessly into our group and spent the week skiing with us. There’s a great shot of her and Dan under a towering Christmas tree, glowing like ornaments themselves.

And if you ever find yourself in Crested Butte, promise me one thing: go to Secret Stash Pizz. Calling it “pizza” doesn’t do it justice — it’s an experience, the kind you remember long after the snow has melted. https://www.secretstash.com/

Check out the slideshow….

By Xiang Liao MD, NSC Member

Under a cloudy February sky
After the Magnolias have peaked their blooms
After the lovers exchanged their thousand kisses 
The chocolate strawberries have not melted 
Allured by the wilderness, the skiers glided into the rugged Mountains leaving their earthy life behind
Perhaps for a temporary escape
Black bird, Frog Lake, Castle Peak
Mother-nature, tight embrace 
All white, all white
Breathtaking, all encompassing 
All white, all white
They have turned into snow angels
Radiant, bright, beautiful, warm , kind
Snowflakes shivering 
Pine trees weeping 
Sisters hand in hand
Snow Angels sing.

by Joel Hayashida, Board Member

Meet at Lake Chabot Marina Parking @9:30AM

Join the NSC for a beautiful Bay Area hike at the Lake Chabot Regional Park (East Bay RPD Link), and continue the fun by strolling the Castro Valley Creek Downtown (YouTube Link) zone “après hike” and explore the shops and eateries led by former NSC President, Joel Hayashida. 

The 3.8-mile loop (396 foot elevation gain) hike that links portions of the Indian Cove, Ten Hills, Cameron Loop, and East Shore trails (AllTrails Chabot3) has gentle hills and refreshing water views.  Along the way, we will see early spring blooms,  trees, the lake, and wildlife!  Park at the Lake Chabot Marina Parking Lot (Lake Chabot Parking Entrance). 

The all-day parking fee is $5 per vehicle and the kiosk accepts major credit cards and quarters.  Carpooling is suggested.  Bring: hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, water… 

Downtown Lake Castro activity will be ad hoc with a plan but with a plan subject to change based on group interest.  The plan is to park at the Luckys.

The target après-hike eatery is Canyons Barbeque (BBQ) as there is a good amount of seating. 

Final details will be provided to signees via email around end of March.  Please sign up so that the hike leader can provide last minute fine-tuned details.

by Jeanne Katsuro, Vice President

We have only 2 remaining seats on the trip!

Total capacity is 24 people and Everyone is part of Nisei Ski Club!

Join our adventure to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand

An Extraordinary price at $7149 for double occupancy for 19 days and 31 meals

With an Additional Pre-tour of 6 days and 4 nights in Singapore Starting Oct 24

And an Additional Post-tour of 4 days and 3 nights in Thailand Ending Nov 19

We always have a Great Time Exploring and Sharing Together.

Join us! It is so Much Fun!

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

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

This 3-Ingredient Yogurt Cake is balanced between the creaminess of flan and the subtle tang of Basque cheesecake. No mixer, flour, butter or oil are required.

Just a few simple ingredients and you’re on your way to dessert bliss. Its light texture and wholesomeness makes it a guilt-free indulgence.

You can add fresh fruits or powdered sugar on top to give it a nice presentation.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups yogurt (plain or vanilla)
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, optional
• 5 tablespoons cornstarch

Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).

• In a bowl, add the yogurt and eggs. Whisk well.

• Add the pure vanilla extract and cornstarch. Whisk again until the batter is completely smooth.

• Pour it into a lined loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Let it cool and top with fresh berries, maple syrup, or honey! Enjoy.

• Note: This cake can be made with vanilla yogurt or any flavored yogurt like coconut. The cake will turn out sweeter if the yogurt is flavored. You can also add 1/4 cup of sugar to the plain yogurt if you don’t want a lower-sugar option.

by Karen Soo, Trip Director

Spring is almost here!  It’s time to buy delicious See’s Candies to show your support for the Far West Ski Foundation.  The deadline to make a purchase is: March 20, 2026. 

FWSA’s overarching objective is to sustain snowsports to ensure that the inspirational experiences of snowsports will remain for future generations. Visit our website at https://farwestskifoundation.org to learn about the athletes who have received scholarships, and non-profit organizations that have received grants under our four missions:

• Building for the Future – with its Athletic Scholarship Program for Far West Junior Racers in U.S. Ski and Snowboard.
• Rehabilitation and Renewal – with its support of adaptive and rehabilitative snowsports programs.
• Sustaining Snowsports – supporting snowsports industry initiatives, such as climate control, youth/family development, diversity, and for underdeveloped athletic programs.
• 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/spring-2026-far-west-ski-foundation-8917/JanWyc5944

FWSF is an autonomous public benefit corporation, in compliance with law and regulations Under Section501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. For additional information please contact Trustees Jane Wyckoff, fwsajane@gmail.com, 949-933-9607 or Joe Harvis, harvisja@gmail.com, 973-964-0834.

           Happy shopping and thank you for your support!

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:

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

Last month I finally made it up to Tahoe on two weekends (well, going up on Sunday and skiing Monday and Tuesday). Although it hasn’t snowed since the New Years weekend, the snow was in good condition despite the warm temps. But it hasn’t snowed since that big storm on New Year’s weekend and that made for a dry January. And current predictions show nothing for the first two weeks of February. Looks like all the snow is hitting Canada and the big freeze and snow dumps on the east coast.

Membership Report

Let’s welcome Hong Wu, Winnie Fang, and Gary Ching as new members that joined in January and our total is now 109 members.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Welcome to the Chinese Year of the Horse! The Chinese New Year starts February 17^th kicking off the 16-day Spring Festival. The Horse gallops in with vibrant and fiery energy, symbolizing adventure, vitality, and momentum. People born on Horse Years (1954, 1966, 1978, etc,) are believed to be lively, charming and adventurous. Are you one of them? Do you know anyone with those traits? Check out Karen’s article on the outlook for Year of the Horse.

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

The Park City team is off Park City for a week (7-14 Feb) of skiing, schussing, dining, and experiencing the slopes and glades in Utah.

 Bill Lee, our unofficial photographer, will return with his usual album of photographs chronicling our adventures.

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: Thinking is difficult, that’s why most people judge – Carl Jung

by Angela Ren, NSC Member

Twenty-five Nisei Ski Club members headed out on Collette’s France Magnifique trip for 12 days in late October.  We all had a fabulous time immersing ourselves in French culture, cuisine, and history as well as meeting and spending time with old and new friends.

Here are some of the highlights:

Versailles:

We were scheduled to have in the morning a guided tour of the private apartments of King Louis XIV in the Royal Palace.  Unfortunately, the Royal Palace had a power outage so our tour ultimately had to be cancelled.  Instead, our group spent the morning touring the palace’s expansive and grandiose formal gardens.  The gardens cover approximately 2,000 acres and contain 55 fountains and 155 statues.  Most of us only saw a very small portion of the gardens but there was the option to rent a golf cart which made it a little easier for those of us who wanted to cover a little more ground without wearing out our shoes on the very first day of the trip.  The power was restored around 2pm so some of us that were still in the area rushed back to the Palace entrance and had the opportunity to walk through some areas of the Royal Palace.

Giverny:

At Giverny, we visited Claude Monet’s countryside home and the colorful living work of art which is his garden where we saw the artist’s inspiration for his works, including the setting for his iconic Waterlilies.

Caen & Normandy:

In Caen, we explored the Caen Peace Memorial Museum which is dedicated to providing a comprehensive history of the D-Day landings and Europe’s post-war transition.  In Normandy, we strolled through the Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Center.  Collette was very thoughtful in providing a flower arrangement for our group to pay our respects during the Taps Ceremony, which serves as a daily moving tribute to honor the sacrifices of the WWII Allied Forces.  Next, our group traveled to Omaha Beach where we all enjoyed beautiful views on a sunny day. 

Arromanches:

Our stop in this town was at a local apple orchard farm where we were treated to a brief tour of how their apple cider was made and of course, we were given samples of apple cider to taste.

Saint Malo:

We traveled to Le Mont St. Michel, an UNESCO site that is otherwise known as the “Wonder of the West” where our entire group was able to ascend the 350 steps up to the Abbey which dates back to the 11^th Century. We then strolled through its surrounding old village which is filled shops and restaurants. 

Chinon & Loire Valley:

In the medieval village of Chinon, we visited a Farmers Market where we saw a Vietnamese food booth and a small Chinese take-out restaurant that our group quickly descended upon for lunch after not having any rice for a week!  We then visited a local winery where we sampled some of their wines.  In Loire Valley, we spent the next 2 nights at a 15^th Century Chateau that was once a favorite retreat of Louis XIII. 

Paris:

Our last stop on this trip was in Paris where we took a scenic cruise gliding under the romantic bridges along the Seine River.  NSC treated our entire group for dinner and a dynamic champagne-flowing, can-can kicking, music-driven night at the cabaret.   The next day, our large group split up into 2 groups – one group took in Paris’ most iconic sites on a panoramic city tour.  The other group joined a local guide to the hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre and its iconic Sacre-Coeur Basilica.  Our last evening together celebrating the conclusion of our French voyage with an exclusive dinner at the Eiffel Tower.

We all said “Au Revoir” (Goodbye) to each other after the Eiffel Tower dinner since some group members were taking an early flight home the next morning while the rest of the group were staying longer in Paris or traveling to another location.  I would not hesitate taking another Collette trip with Nisei – we all shared some unique experiences and made some wonderful memories.  How can I say no to that?

Here’s a slideshow of our trip.

by Christie Tasaka Dews, New NSC Member

After meeting Jeanne while standing in line for the Nisei Matsuri Festival—what I consider a very fortuitous encounter—she invited me to the Nisei Ski Club Potluck. This gathering was my very first NSC event, and what a wonderful introduction to the club and its community. From the moment I arrived everyone was kind and welcoming, eager to include newcomers. There was an abundance of great food and I had the opportunity to learn how to play mahjong—many thanks to Greg and Judy for their patience—followed by a lively round of Mexican Train Dominos for good measure.

I was impressed by the variety of trips and events already planned, as well as those currently in the works. Hearing members share stories from past outings and talk excitedly about upcoming adventures made me eager to be part of future excursions. I am excited about the non-winter activities organized. I enjoy things that can be done in a single day—short attention span? Possibly!

Who knows–I might even convince some new friends to try an escape room! While I cannot promise I will be a master at escaping, I am 100% curious and can already imagine the mysteries to be solved. Either way, fun was definitely had by all. I truly enjoyed myself and look forward to continuing to have fun, meet new people, and make new friends while getting to know my new surroundings in the Bay Area.

I stayed longer than expected and left feeling grateful for that serendipitous encounter with Jeanne outside the SJBC Betsuin. I find myself inspired to buy a mahjong set like Judy’s so I can teach my girls to play, lucky to have discovered such a welcoming group and smiling as I wonder what is yet to come.

Yes—I am joining the NSC!

Happy New Year!

Here’s a slide show of the pot luck party.

by Sandy Kiyomura, NSC Member

The snow Gods and Goddesses blessed us in January. Some of us skied at Northstar and were fortunate to “TOST” the New Year with champagne or apple cider. Pictured here (left to right) were Dan Lew, Sandy Kiyomura, Alice Schroeder, Judy Bracken, Elaine Graves and Carol Henri. The next day stormed followed by powder. Skiing powder was fun, but traffic was not. Highway 80 closed down and Dan and I were fortunate Judy and Mark invited us to stay at her home in Tahoe Donner. Driving home with new snow was a little tricky, but glad to report I did not skid (or brake) all the way to Auburn.

by Jeanne Katsuro, Vice President

We have only 2 remaining seats on the trip!

Total capacity is 24 people and Everyone is part of Nisei Ski Club!

Join our adventure to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand

An Extraordinary price at $7149 for double occupancy for 19 days and 31 meals

With an Additional Pre-tour of 6 days and 4 nights in Singapore Starting Oct 24

And an Additional Post-tour of 4 days and 3 nights in Thailand Ending Nov 19

We always have a Great Time Exploring and Sharing Together.

Join us! It is so Much Fun!

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

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

How many of you had come crossed a chocolate chip cookie that was too flawed? A cookie that is too sweet, too soft or made with too much chocolates. Here a cookie that’s made with a lot salted butter, the dough has just enough flour to hold it all together and right amount of light brown sugar to suggest a chocolate chip cookie.

Yield: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons/ (2 1/4 sticks), cold (room temperature if you’re using a handheld mixer), cut into 1/2 pieces (see note)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet dark chocolate, chopped (not too fine; you want chunks, not little shards)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• Demerara sugar, for rolling
• Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

PREPARATIONS

1. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, beat the butter, both sugars and vanilla on medium-high till it’s super light and fluffy (3 to 5 minutes for a stand mixer; 6 to 8 for a hand mixer). Using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl and, with the mixer on low, slowly add the flour, followed by the chocolate chunks, and mix just to blend. If necessary, knead the dough with your hands to make sure the flour is totally incorporated. At this point, the dough should be smooth and feel like Play-Doh with no pockets of flour.

2. Divide the dough in half, placing each half on a large piece of plastic wrap. Fold the plastic over so that it covers the dough to protect your hands from getting all sticky. Using your hands, form the dough into a log shape; rolling it on the counter will help you smooth it out, but don’t worry about getting it totally perfect. (Don’t be afraid to make them compact. Shortbread is supposed to be dense. That’s part of why it’s so good.) You can also do this using parchment paper, if you prefer, but plastic wrap is easier when it comes to shaping the log. Each half should form a 6-inch log, 2 to 2 1/4 inches in diameter. Chill until totally firm, about 2 hours.

3. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush the outside of the logs with the beaten egg and roll them in the demerara sugar (this is for those really delicious, crisp edges).

4. Using a serrated knife, carefully slice each log into 1/2-inch-thick rounds (if you hit a chocolate chunk, slowly saw back and forth through the chocolate). If the cookies break or fall apart, just press them back together — the dough is very forgiving. Place them on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart (they won’t spread much). Sprinkle with flaky salt. Bake until the edges are just beginning to brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly before eating them all.

TIPS

The cookie dough con be mode ahead end stored, tightly wrapped in plastic, up to 1 week in the refrigerator, or 1 month in the freezer. Cookies can be baked and stored in plastic wrap or on airtight container for 5 days.

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Happy New Year!!

The Chinese New Year in 2026 marks the Year of the Fire Horse, starting February 17, 2026, and ending February 5, 2027, bringing intense energy, freedom, and passion, as the Horse embodies speed, independence, and hard work, amplified by the Fire element for bold action and potential change.

People born in the Year of the Horse are said to be often confident, agreeable, hardworking, and independent, disliking being controlled.

Check out your horoscope in the Year of the Horse 2026.

http://raymond-lo.com/14556/year-of-the-dragon

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Happy Valentines Day!!

Just a friendly reminder Valentine’s Day is Saturday, February 14th. Don’t forget to get your sweetheart flowers, chocolates and a Valentine’s card. (Date It)

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

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Nihonmachi Outreach Committee will present its 46th annual Day of Remembrance on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event commemorates Executive Order 9066 signed by President Franklin Roosevelt which led to the forced removal and incarceration of over 125,000 persons of Japanese descent during World War II.

This year’s theme “Neighbors Not Enemies” refers to the legislation that would repeal the outdated and discriminatory Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The Neighbors Not Enemies Coalition of San Jose Japantown was created in 2025 to support public education on the Alien Enemies Act, advocate for the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, and stand up for our neighbors who are currently being targeted by racist immigration policies and denials of their due process rights. Nihonmachi Outreach Committee and Asian Law Alliance are members of this large coalition.

Richard Konda, Executive Director of Asian Law Alliance, is the featured guest speaker. Richard was recently recognized by the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN) with the 2025 Changemaker Award for his phenomenal career devoted to civil rights and social justice: “For decades, Richard has been a steadfast advocate for equity, fairness, and community empowerment, embodying the spirit of transformative leadership this award honors.” ​

The Day of Remembrance program includes community speakers, the traditional candle light ceremony honoring survivors of the camps, the candle light procession through San Jose Japantown, and a performance by ukulele artist Jake Shimada.

San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin is co-sponsoring the event which will be held at the Church’s Annex at 632 North Fifth Street, San Jose. Doors open at 5:00 pm and seating is limited.

Nihonmachi Outreach Committee is a voluntary organization dedicated to educating the public about the incarceration of immigrants and U.S. citizens of Japanese ancestry, including their children who were U.S. citizens by birth. While the forced removal and incarceration happened over 80 years ago, their effects reverberate today. We are committed to defending all communities on issues of civil and human rights, justice, equality, and peace.

This event is free of charge but donations are welcome.

Date
February 15, 2026

Time
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Location
San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. Fifth Street, San Jose, CA 95112

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

The month of January has been super cold last week.

Oof, that’s real winter 🥶 8–15 degrees is the kind of cold that makes your face hurt just walking outside. At that point it’s not even fashion anymore—it’s full survival mode: down jacket zipped to the chin, hat pulled low, gloves permanently on.

Honestly, weeks like that make January feel twice as long. No wonder everyone starts daydreaming about somewhere warm by mid-month.