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.

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

The rain and snow have finally arrived! Tahoe resorts are finally opening more lifts and terrain, and this is what I’ve been waiting for. If everything goes well then I’m planning on making two weekend trips to Tahoe and get some skiing in before the Park City ski week in February. Let the fun begin!

Membership Report

For the end of 2025 we had one returning member, Kathy Fang, and one new member, Hong Wu, and this brings our total to 107 members. That’s a pretty good headcount for the year, and there may be more to join at the upcoming NSC Potluck & Games event next month.

NSC Potluck & Games Event

Coming up on Saturday, 17 January, is the NSC Potluck & Games event at Miraido Village in San Jose Japantown. See the newsletter for details.

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

Final arrangements for the Park City ski trip have been made and in less than a month we’ll be flying the friendly skies of Alaska to Salt Lake City and then a short bus ride to Park City.

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: Winter must be cold for those with no memories. – Deborah Kerr (An Affair to Remember)

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 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 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 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.

.

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!

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

It’s November and we’re all thinking that ski season is around the corner. I’ve never skied in November because there just hasn’t been enough snow to make it a worthwhile 4-hour drive to Tahoe. And sometimes December can be on the bleak side as well. But let’s hope for the best and that the rains and cold weather blanket our favorite Tahoe resorts with a grand coating of snow.

Warren Miller Movie

If you need to get an early skiing fix then you can attend the showing of Sno-Ciety at the Pruneyard Cinema in San Jose. The Pruneyard Cinema is a small theater with large comfortable seats and you can enjoy dinner at the same time. Show times are as follows:

• Nov 18, Tuesday, 6:30pm and 9:00pm
• Dec 16, Tuesday, 6:30pm and 9:00pm
• Location: The Pruneyard Cinemas, $22
• https://warrenmiller.com/events/pruneyard-cinema

You will need to go the website to reserve and purchase your seats.

Where To Ski Over Thanksgiving

The big event in November is Thanksgiving and that brings up plans for heading to the slopes for some Thanksgiving weekend skiing. But, the big question is – will there be enough snow?  OK, he’s not exactly a turkey, but a skiing ostrich is awesome!

• November 21 – Heavenly Valley
• November 21 – Northstar
• November 26 – Palisades/Alpine
• December 5 – Kirkwood
• No Date Provided – Mt. Rose

FWSA Digital Membership Card

The FWSA digital membership card is now available as a downloadable card and can be accessed at this link:

https://fwsa.org/handlers/celinks.ashx?id=68874. You can customize the card with your name, club name, and council (Bay Area Sports Council). An FWSA membership card identifies the cardholder as a member of not only their own local club and council, but a member of Far West Ski Association, and entitles the individual to a variety of benefits and discounts including lodging and ski rentals. For more information on FWSA Benefits go to https://www.fwsa.org and click on Member Corner/Benefits.

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.

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: The truth has no defense against a fool determined to believe a lie. – Mark Twain

By Armand Gutierrez, presidente de membresía

Going into November we reached a milestone that I haven’t seen in a number of years: our 100^th member! And with the following new members our new member headcount goes up to 37 (another milestone). So how did we accomplish the increase in membership? I would like to say that it’s been the hard work of VP Jeanne Katsuro and the non-ski travel trips, the members that have been willing to sponsor the number of events scheduled throughout the non-ski season period, and 10 new members on the Park City ski week trip. Included in the 102 are three new members:

Mary Hutchinson (number 100)

Evelyn & Phillip Chin

by Curtis Otaguro, Board Member

After the Giants were roughed up by the Dodgers in a home series back in July, I was hesitant to attend the NSC event, REPEAT PERFORMANCE – SF Giants VS LA Dodgers on Sunday, September 14.  However, a late surge by the Giants lifted my spirits, so I decided to go at the last minute along with my baseball buddy, Steve.  We joined 18 family and friends for the finale of the weekend series at Oracle Park.  The first game of the series started off with a bang on Friday night, when Patrick Bailey hit a walk-off grand slam to beat the bums, 5-1.  Unfortunately, the Giants could not ride that momentum, losing 13-7 on Saturday, setting up the rubber match on Sunday.  Could the Giants take the series by winning the final?

Steve and I had an early start on Sunday, riding Caltrain to the ballpark arriving early at around 10:00 am, so we could get our free Willy Adames t-shirt.  After the gates opened at 11:00 am, we headed to the View Reserve level to meet the NSC gang.  No one was there yet, so Steve and I went to hang out in the View Box seats to enjoy the beautiful views of the bay and pleasant warm weather.  A flotilla of kayaks and boats dotted McCovey Cove, eagerly hoping for a splash hit during the game.  We then returned to the food court and met Jeanne and her carpool mates John and Lorraine.  Judy and her extended family, Tina and Arthur, and others soon joined us for a delicious lunch of Oracle Park offerings, including the famous Crazy Crab’z sandwich, Giant Nachos w/ Chicken, and Pita Lamb and Beef Gyros.  Yummy!

With our appetites now sated, it was on to the game!  I was anticipating a great matchup with All-Star Robbie Ray of the Giants facing Tyler Glasnow of the Dodgers.  Ray had a great start, retiring the Dodgers in order in the top of the 1^st inning, including a strikeout of Ohtani.  The Dodgers went ahead in the 2^nd inning, scoring one run.  The Giants answer with one of their own in the bottom half of the inning.  Dodgers scored one more in the 3^rd.  Ray finally faltered in the fifth inning, giving up a walk, single, and a double with the Dodgers scoring another run.  He was replaced by the normally reliable reliever Peguero, but the misery continued with a walk, single and disengagement violation, scoring 2 more runs for the Dodgers, now leading 6-1.  The Dodgers added 2 more in the 6^th inning, increasing the lead to 8-1.  At this point, my fellow NSCers lost hope and started to leave the game, leaving just Steve and me to contend with the obnoxious Dodger fans.  Single runs in the 8^th and 9^th by the Dodgers and a single run by the Giants in the 8^th ended the scoring, with the final score of 10-2.  It seems that the NSC event name, “REPEAT PERFORMANCE” was a harbinger of things to come since the Giants also lost at the first matchup at the NSC Members at the Yard event.  Maybe we should have named the event “BEAT LA” instead!

Although the Giants missed the playoffs again this year, I believe that there are better times ahead with the addition of Devers to the core group (Adames, Chapman, Lee, Webb, Ray) of players and arrival of a new manager that will hopefully get the most from this team.  And NSC will be there so we can see a victory next time!

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has issued a La Niña Advisory, as La Niña has formed in the tropical Pacific Ocean and is likely to continue through February 2026. La Niña is just one phase of ENSO, or El Niño Southern Oscillation, a global climate system that impacts circulations across the world, influencing the weather.

La Niña is often considered the cool phase of ENSO, because La Niña is when the waters of the tropical Pacific Ocean are cooler than average. This causes dry, sinking air over the tropical Pacific, while air rises near Southeast Asia, leading to more clouds, rain, and storm activity there.

As for the United States and North America, what will La Niña bring for winter this season? It all depends on your location!

Winter this season

The jet stream during a La Niña winter is more variable across North America. It drifts farther north into the northern Pacific. And while it often drifts farther south across the southern United States, there is variability with that location of the jet stream as well.

This sets up a pattern where southern Alaska through western Canada and into the northern plains of the United States will likely end up with cooler and wetter than average weather. Meanwhile, the United States stretching from California through the Gulf Coast and out toward the Carolinas will likely be drier and warmer than average. Areas closer to where the jet stream will meander – typically around the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys – will likely experience wetter than average conditions.

Winter weather outlook

The Climate Prediction Center has also released its Winter Weather Outlook for the United States. It is influenced by the fact that La Niña has developed and is expected to continue through February.

Meteorologists and climatologists don’t use astronomical winter for their forecasts and outlooks. The winter solstice – or the astronomical start of winter – is December 21 this year. But it varies from year to year. That’s because it’s tied to when the sun is above the Tropic of Capricorn.

Meteorological winter begins every year on December 1 and runs through the last day of February. This set range is better for temperature and precipitation averages for a season, as the dates are always the same.

So, what’s the CPC’s winter outlook for the United States for December, January and February? It has a good portion of the U.S. outlined in a higher likelihood for warmer-than-average temperatures. This includes California through Texas and the Gulf Coast as well as the southeast and up toward the Mid-Atlantic. The northern plains are the most likely to experience cooler-than-average temperatures.

For precipitation, much of the northern and middle United States has a better chance of experiencing a wetter-than normal winter, with dry weather most likely for the southern half of the country.

These seasonal outlooks are not exact forecasts. La Niña will play a role in what we can expect this winter. But just because an area is expected to be drier than normal doesn’t mean it won’t experience days of rain or even snow. It also means areas expected to be below average may still experience unusually warm days during winter.

This outlook means that through the entire three-month season, this is the most likely scenario. Make sure to stay up to date with your local forecasts through the winter through your local National Weather Service office.

Bottom line: La Niña has developed and should stay in place through February. This will impact what kind of winter we will experience, but it depends on your location.