by Armand Gutierrez, President

July is coming in on a hot note, but nothing really drastic compared to last year. However, it seems like our drought season this year is expected to impact us for the summer. Last year’s celebration of our country’s founding was a return to the old days (pre-pandemic) and I suspect this year celebrations will be even greater. So do your part over the 4^th of July weekend by raising Old Glory high above and into the field of blue.

NSC Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic

The NSC Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic are scheduled for Saturday, 23 July so mark your calendars. An Evite will be sent out later this month so you can designate if you’re attending and what scrumptious dish you’ll be bringing to share. We will also be saying goodbye (temporarily?) for Karen Soo, as she will be moving to New York in August. Look for the flyer and Evite.

Board Movement

How’s that for a catchy title? What does it mean? Well, Karen Soo, a long-time NSC member and Trip Director, is moving to New York to take care of her mom. Is this a permanent move? Possibly not, because she mentioned that she is leaving some of her cherished belongings here in storage. Her move isn’t scheduled until August and she will be at the NSC Luau Picnic on Saturday, 23 July. She’ll remain on the board and conduct business as usual since we’ve been having our board meetings via Zoom. So, make sure you attend the Luau Picnic and give Karen a glorious sendoff to New York.

2023 NSC Ski Week to Breckenridge, CO

Plans are moving along with the Breckenridge ski week trip for 2023 and the date is from 28 January – 4 February 2023. People have signed up and there are plenty of spaces available, so act now and get your favorite roommates together. See the attached Breckenridge Flyer for details on the trip and signup forms.

Breckenridge is an Epic Pass destination so you can pick up an Epic Pass for the next season. Once again, Sports America will be offering the Epic/Ikon Pass promotion-trip rebate for anyone that goes on the trip and purchases a pass through Sports America.

For 2022-23 Breckenridge will be on the Epic Pass, and is also good for Northstar, Heavenly Valley and Kirkwood. Here is what you need to know about the Ikon and Epic Passes for the Breckenridge trip:

• Purchase an Ikon Pass (Palisades/Alpine) from Sports America and receive a:
  • $60 trip discount for an Ikon Base Pass, or
  • $60 trip discount for an Ikon Pass.
  • Go to this link to purchase: : www.sportsamerica.com/ikon-nisei.
  • The Ikon Pass or Ikon Base Pass cannot be used at Breckenridge.

• Purchase an Epic Pass (Northstar, Heavenly, Kirkwood) from Sports America and receive a:
  • $40 trip discount for an Epic Local Pass, unlimited at Vail Resorts
  • $30 trip discount for an Epic Tahoe Local, 5-days skiing at Breckenridge
  • $30 trip discount for an Epic 5-day Unrestricted Pass, 5-days skiing at Breckenridge
  • $20 trip discount for an Epic 5-day Holiday Excluded Pass, 5-days skiing at Breckenridge. This pass is recommended if you only want to ski 5 days at Breckenridge
  • Our trip will not be during any of the Holiday Exclusion dates.
  • Go to this link to purchase: www.sportsamerica.com/epic-nisei.

• Purchase both the Ikon/Epic passes and you will receive a combination trip discount based on the type of passes you purchase.

If you have any questions about either of the passes then drop me a line at president@niseiskiclub.org.

QotM:  Loneliness is something to be shared with someone – “Coach” Ernie Pantusso

–A Reflection on Leaving the Bay Area

By Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Many of you may or may not know that I will be moving to New York for family obligations. My mother is 90 years old. She’s very alert, but I can see her slowing down like most parents moving towards those golden years. Her only surviving older brother is 101 years old.

The goal is to give her the best quality of life with comfort care. I will be
taking care of her. Preparing meals in a kitchen with limited cookware and the utensils that she owns. The challenge here is to prepare something yummy and healthy. I’ve been told that I’m a good daughter to take care of my mother. “She’s lucky to have you there”. My reply is that I’m lucky to have my mother with me.

With an aide present during the day time, I will look for full time employment in New York City, Fashion Capital of the world. My friends are all happy to have me back in the hood. My Spidey senses will be turned on as I ride the subways to and from the city. You hear so many stories about people being pushed into the tracks or random attacks on Asians. All I have to say is you don’t want to mess with me. I will turn into Psycho Rambo mode.

I developed a lot of long-lasting friendships during the years. I will miss many of you who had crossed my path. The adventures we shared, the phone conversations, dinners and most importantly, the laughs we had. My Nisei Ski Club members will always be my 2^nd family.

Being NSC Trip Director was a fulfilling role. Arranging roommate assignments for those weeklong trips. Planning the weekend trip and meals with Amy Tsuhako was always a challenge. What hot meal can we serve on the bus ride up to Tahoe?  The challenges we faced–driving on I-80 during the snowstorm and getting into Reno at 3:00am in the morning, and then getting up at 6:00am to make the coffee and boil the water. Remember those trips? The long-weekends to Kirkwood, Mammoth and back to Northstar. At the end we all returned home safely and had so much fun.

I loved the Bay Area adventures like backpacking in Kalalau, Kauai, mini-vacations along the Western coastline, NSC weeklong trips to Jackson Hole, Aspen and Steamboat, running the Nike half marathons, Fishing for largemouth bass in the Delta, and picking up golf and trying to break a 100.

Although it’s not the end of a chapter as NSC Trip Director but a new journey as the NSC Newsletter Editor. Following the footsteps of Judy Hom and Judy Bracken–I bow to you!

This is a learning process for me so bear with me I learn how to create the NSC website.

Please give me a call if you’re ever visiting New York. I would love to meet up with you and give you insights on where to go and do.

I will leave my heart in San Francisco but I continue to be a San Francisco Giants fan and hoping the Golden Gate Warriors wins another NBA Championship next year.

See you on July 23, NSC Picnic – Come out and say Hi…… XOXO KAREN 

By Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

They say good meals leads to the great outdoors. I totally agreed there’s nothing like cooking in the open fire under the clear blue skies and the starry nights. Check out these articles telling how a Chinese cook helped established Yosemite National Park Service.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/how-chinese-cook-helped-establish-yosemite-national-park-service-n890221

I hiked to the top of Half Dome about three times and I never knew this building existed. The Yosemite Chinese Laundry building is finally getting its recognition.

https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/welcome-yosemite-s-chinese-laundry-building?utm_source=greenlife&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter

by Judy Bracken, Newsletter Editor

This month we have just three articles, but they are full of information about our upcoming picnic and the ski week for next year, along with an announcement of the NSC board election results. This will be my last newsletter, although I will be working closely with Karen Soo for several months as she takes on this additional board position. Please continue to read the articles, and feel free to contribute any news or tidbits of interest. This website is for you as members, and please know that any and all of your contributions are always welcome.

by Armand Gutierrez, President

It’s June and the start of the 2022-2023 NSC season. Our recent elections resulted in several changes to the board – three board members are “retiring” from the board and we have one former board member returning and one former president joining as a board member. Thanks to all of you that took the time to vote, and you can read the full election results in Hoyt’s article.

FWSA Update

Some of you may know that I generally go on the FWSA ski week trips to Europe (Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France) and the extension trip for a week of touring (no skiing). Over the years I have become quite familiar with the tour leader, Debbie Stewart, VP of International Travel, and in some instances have helped her with various tasks. After the Sölden trip this past March, Debbie asked me to join her International Travel Team as one of her assistants, and I gladly accepted. As one of her assistants, I’ll be helping her with the planning, logistics, and coordination of future FWSA international trips, and attending the annual FWSA Conventions (next one is 10-12 June, in Portland). The 2023 FWSA International Trip will be to Zermatt, Switzerland from 24 February – 4 March, and the extension trip to Spain/Majorca from 4-11 March. If you have any questions about this trip, just send them to president@nisieskiclub.org.

NSC Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic

The NSC Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic is scheduled for July 23^rd, so mark your calendars. As usual the club will be providing beverages and a lunch entree and you can bring a favorite side dish. Details will be on the Picnic Flyer.

2023 NSC Ski Week to Breckenridge, Colorado

 Plans are moving along with the Breckenridge ski week trip for 2023 from 28 January – 4 February 2023. A number of people have already secured their Epic Passes, which will be needed since there will be no group lift tickets. See the attached Breckenridge Flyer for details on the trip and signup forms.

Breckenridge is an Epic Pass destination so you can pick up an Epic Pass for the next season. Once again, Sports America will be offering the Epic/Ikon Pass promotion-trip rebate for anyone that goes on the trip and purchases a pass through Sports America.

For 2022-23 Breckenridge will be on the Epic Pass, and is also good for Northstar, Heavenly Valley and Kirkwood. Here is what you need to know about the Ikon and Epic Passes for the Breckenridge trip:

• Purchase an Ikon Pass (Palisades/Alpine) from Sports America and receive a:
  • $60 trip discount for an Ikon Base Pass, or 
  • $60 trip discount for an Ikon Pass.
  • Go to this link to purchase: : www.sportsamerica.com/ikon-nisei.
  • The Ikon Pass or Ikon Base Pass cannot be used at Breckenridge.

• Purchase an Epic Pass (Northstar, Heavenly, Kirkwood) from Sports America and receive a:
  • $40 trip discount for an Epic Local Pass, unlimited at Vail Resorts
  • $30 trip discount for an Epic Tahoe Local, 5-days skiing at Breckenridge
  • $30 trip discount for an Epic 5-day Unrestricted Pass, 5-days skiing at Breckenridge
  • $20 trip discount for an Epic 5-day Holiday Excluded Pass, 5-days skiing at Breckenridge. This pass is recommended if you only want to ski 5 days at Breckenridge
  • Our trip will not be during any of the Holiday Exclusion dates.
  • Go to this link to purchase: www.sportsamerica.com/epic-nisei.

• Purchase both the Ikon/Epic passes and you will receive a combination trip discount based on the type of passes you purchase.

If you have any questions about either of the passes then drop me a line at president@niseiskiclub.org.

QotM: A friend will bail you out of jail, a true friend will be in there with you.

by Hoyt Nelson, Board Member

The polls are now closed and all the write-ins have declined.  

The Board Members for 2022-2023 on June 1 will be: 

• President: Armand Gutierrez
• Vice President: vacant
• Treasurer: Frank Chang
• Trip Director: Karen Soo
• Newsletter Editor: Karen Soo
• Membership Director: Tina Woo
• Board Members at Large: Curtis Otaguro, Jeanne Katsuro, David Schultz, Rick Dumlao, Hoyt Nelson

Thanks for your participation.  These board members will be working hard to ensure you enjoy your membership in the Nisei Ski Club. If you are interested in helping out with specific tasks (like the picnic or the annual ski trip), please contact anyone on the board. Congratulations to all the winners and we wish all the best to the Nisei Ski Club in the coming year.

by Karen Soo, Trip Director

Please join us on Saturday, July 23 at Las Palmas Park in Sunnyvale for our NSC annual picnic.

As you may or may not know, our infamous Trip Director, party planner, aka Martha Stewart wannabe, and chef extraordinaire is moving to New York to take care of family obligations. Along with celebrating our excellent ski club and its members at the picnic, please come out and join us for a special “Bon Voyage” to Karen.

We don’t know how she is going to manage the ski trips and newsletter from 2500 miles away. You know she will pull strings out of the hat to get the job done (hint: she could use some help)!

Please RSVP no later than July 20, so we can order the right amount of food for the picnic. Click here for all the details. 

by Armand Gutierrez, President

May is here and that means it’s time to bring an end to the NSC 2021-2022 season. Unlike last year, NSC moved more to its normal existence with reduced COVID requirements, and a sense of returning to social interaction. We had good attendance at two of our main events, the annual ski week to Steamboat and the annual Luau and Membership picnic. Even with a low snow load during another drought year, many members enjoyed many awesome ski days in Tahoe and elsewhere.

But now it’s June, which marks the start of the NSC 2022-2023 season, and it’s time to restart the upcoming season with a return of our standby events and perhaps a few new ones. Beginning this month, you can take advantage of the $5 membership discount if you sign up and submit your membership form before May 31^st. Please submit your application to Tina Woo (Membership Chairman).

The board has been meeting frequently because life with NSC does go on.  Plans are in the making for our annual Luau and Membership Picnic, our ski week trip to Breckenridge, and a few other events that are in the planning stages.

Board Nominations & Elections

The nominations process has been completed and the next step is elections. The elections chairman (that would be Hoyt Nelson) tells me there were several nominations. Therefore, the slate consists of the incumbents and nominees. However, voting is important and although there were several nominations you can still vote for a write-in candidate. Whether you’re voting for an incumbent, nominee, or a write-in candidate, it’s important that you do vote. Your vote tells the board that you do appreciate the volunteer work performed by members of the board, so please take the very short time needed to cast your vote. The election ballot will be distributed in the coming weeks.

2023 NSC Ski Week to Breckenridge, CO

Next year’s ski week will be at Breckenridge, CO from 28 January – 4 February, 2023. Breckenridge is an Epic Pass destination so you can now order an Epic Pass for the next season. Once again, Sports America will be offering the Epic/Ikon Pass promotion-trip rebate for anyone that goes on the trip and purchases a pass through Sports America.

For 2022-23 Breckenridge will be on the Epic Pass, and is also good for Northstar, Heavenly Valley and Kirkwood. Here is what you need to know about the Ikon and Epic Passes for the Breckenridge trip:

• Purchase an Ikon Pass (Palisades/Alpine) from Sports America and receive a:
  • $60 trip discount for an Ikon Base Pass, or 
  • $60 trip discount for an Ikon Pass.
  • Go to this link to purchase: : www.sportsamerica.com/ikon-nisei.
  • The Ikon Pass or Ikon Base Pass cannot be used at Breckenridge.

• Purchase an Epic Pass (Northstar, Heavenly, Kirkwood) from Sports America and receive a:
  • $40 trip discount for an Epic Local Pass
  • $30 trip discount for an Epic Tahoe Local, 5-days skiing at Breckenridge
  • $30 trip discount for an Epic 5-day Unrestricted Pass, 5-days skiing at Breckenridge
  • $20 trip discount for an Epic 5-day Holiday Excluded Pass, 5-days skiing at Breckenridge. This pass is recommended if you only want to ski 5 days at Breckenridge.
  • Go to this link to purchase: www.sportsamerica.com/epic-nisei.

• Our trip will not be during any of the Holiday Exclusion dates.
• Purchase both the Ikon/Epic passes and you will receive a combination trip discount based on the type of passes you purchase.

If you have any questions about either of the passes then drop me a line at president@niseiskiclub.org.

QotM: Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.

by Judy Bracken, Newsletter Editor

It was April 25 at Palisades, as it was the only resort open on Mondays in the north Lake Tahoe area. Elaine and I were loving the sunny skies, cool breezy weather and no crowds on this late season day. There had been a few inches of new snow the week before, so coverage on the slopes was good. As the afternoon waned and the temperatures rose, the snow was becoming sticky–the kind that grabs and slows the skis suddenly. Elaine was quite a bit ahead of me, as I was cautiously making my way down to the base on Mountain Run upper road, when I heard a rumbling noise behind me as a snowboarder cried out “Oh, s*#%!” I initially thought the snowboarder had just crashed, but when the noise continued I turned around to look, and was gobsmacked to see a wall of slow moving snow continuing to slide down seconds behind me! I was no more than 20 yards away, and no one was buried in it, thankfully. The snowboarder rode down another run, so I was the last person to ski down Mountain Run that day.

Elaine and I decided to take the Funitel up once again, so we could get a better view of the slide. It originated about 2/3 of the way up the run (2nd Westface, next to Mosely’s) above the road. It was not a roaring avalanche like we see in films, but more like a slow slide full of big, heavy, wet chunks. When Elaine skied down next to the slide to glean more information, a ski patroller scolded her as he was probing the snow. Apparently, she was not supposed to come that close, although he was probably just following protocol. The slide was about 3-4 feet tall, and the road was, most likely, cleared by the next day.

Whether the universe was sending me a message, or I had an angel by my side, it was a good time to end the season. At any rate, that day was a day to remember…my last ski day of the 2021-22 ski season!