by Jeanne Katsuro, Vice President

27 Nisei Ski Club Members will be experiencing a Boat Cruise to the magnificent and powerful Niagara Falls on the Eastern Canada Trip that will be coming up in October.

Other Fabulous Sites that we will visit.

Toronto City – Continue on to Niagara-on-the-Lake

Ottawa

• Thousand Islands National Park
• Boat Cruise on the St Lawrence River
• Blend of Canadian and French Culture
• Explore the City National Art Gallery, Gothic
• Parliament Buildings and the Rideau Canal

Quebec– Heart of Canada’s French Heritage

• Coach Tour of Old Town & Picturesque
• 17^th Century Buildings, Chateau Frontenac,   
• Parliament and St Louis
• Breakfast at Sugar Shack in Quebec Countryside
• See Maple Syrup Making – Taste Traditional Foods
• Montmorency Falls – a 272ft Wonder!

Montreal – Cathedrals, Rushing Waterways & Lush Gardens

• City tour of Jacques Cartier Square, Mount Royal
• Notre Dame Basilica

Nisei Ski Club will be going to Japan in 2025. Stay tuned…

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Its summer time and my friends in the neighborhood are showing off their summer garden. They’re growing tomatoes, mesclun greens, zucchinis, cucumbers, banana peppers and kale. My friend Connie gives me a weekly bag of organic home-grown veggies. This is perfect for me since I eat a huge salad for dinner. I call it my go to “rabbit food”.

This week she gave me a bag of dinosaur kale. YUMS. Once they are cleaned, I use them for my smoothies. For this batch, I will used them to make Kale Pesto. We are so use to making our own basil pesto if we can find basil or we get that jar of Pesto sold at Costco.

This Kale Pesto is made with just kale. Without the basil, it’s a more cost-effective way to make pesto. It’s also one that you can enjoy all year round, when basil isn’t as plentiful in the supermarket (or garden). 

Enjoy!

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

Total Preparation time: 15 minutes

Servings: One pound of your favorite pasta

Ingredients

• 8 cloves garlic (peeled, ends trimmed)
• 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon (if you’d like it extra lemony, use the whole lemon)
• 1 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 10 packed cups curly kale (about 8-9 ounces/225-250 g)
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Set a large pot of salt water to boil on the stove for the pasta.

• To the bowl of a food processor, add the garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and the kale. Depending on the size of your food processor, you may need to make this in multiple batches or add the kale in a handful at a time.
• With the food processor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube. The pesto should come together relatively quickly, but let the food processor run for 1-2 minutes to make sure everything is thoroughly pulverized.

• By now, your water should be boiling. Cook your pasta according to the package instructions. When the cooking time is almost complete, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water in a heatproof measuring cup. Drain the pasta, and transfer to a large skillet over medium-low heat.

• Add half of the pesto (you’ll have the remainder to freeze for another day!). Stir the pesto into the pasta, adding a little pasta water as you go to make a silky, “creamy” sauce.

• Sprinkle the pasta with grated parmesan and some Aleppo chili flakes. You can also top with some zest from that lemon you juiced for the pesto, if desired. Serve!

TIPS & NOTES:

Note: Recipe makes about 2 1/2 cups pesto. Use half for 1 pound pasta, and freeze the remainder (about 1 1/4 cup) for another day!

To freeze, transfer to a pint container, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top, cover, and freeze. 

Roland Lee NSC Board Member

The group consist of 8 riders met at 10:00am in Corte Madera. Everyone came with different riding experiences. One rider suggested a new title “A BEAUTIFUL DAY in PARADISE”.

Beautiful because it was a gorgeous day for a bike ride. The temperature was in the 80’s. There were minimal wind and no white caps visible in the bay.  The San Francisco Bay gave us a stunning backdrop.

We assembled at PIXLEY Park in Corte Madera. Everyone signed the NSC’s Release and Liability form. Name Tags were distributed and everyone was ready to roll out for the 20-mile trip. The group took off while I was looking for my bike gloves and pumping up my tires. I guess I became the “Sweeper”. The first 35 minutes of the ride was an uphill battle. When I finally caught up to the group, I asked them to wait at the top of hill so we can ride as a group.

At Chapman Street and Camino Alto, we started the descent. Camino Alto is a moderately busy road.  You can pick up a lot of speed going downhill on the curves. Caution, there’s a Stop light at bottom of the hill. On arrival to East Blithedale, everyone turned left.

The “Sweeper / Me ” had to made sure the last person has made the turn towards the correct path. We rode at the underside of  Freeway 101, around quiet Richardson’s bay . You can see the San Francisco skyline in the background climbing up Seminary Drive.

On our way to Tiburon, it was an undulating ride with very few difficult sections. After about an hour we arrived in picturesque Tiburon Downtown and stopped at Caffe Acri Coffee shop at #1 Main Street.

We stopped for coffee and a snack. After snacks, we took a group picture near the ferry station. A beautiful place for photos with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

 24^th Annual Tiburon Classic Exotic Car Show

The car show had about 30-40 cars from Land Rovers to Jaguars.  I’d like to give honorable mention to Elaine Graves  and her husband Gary for making the long commute from San Ramon to make it to the bike ride.

Elaine who injured her ACL, has been rehabilitating her ACL and MCL knee injury which she suffered on the first day of last season. She missed out on the NSC Jackson Hole Trip and the entire season. Three cheers for Elaine! We wish her the best this season.

Lunch at Corte Madera Shopping Center

When we arrived back to Corte Madera about 2:30pm, we had lunch at Starbird Chicken, a fast food restaurant loacated at Corte Madera. They advertised themselves as having the “Best Fried Chicken Sandwich’s in the World”.  

A very bold statement to make. We all had some sort of fried chicken meal.

However, I noticed that Miss Burger-Mistress did not partake in the fried chicken judging adventure.  I guess she was saving her stomach for a better dinner. She earlier had a Hamburger to tie her over.

I would like to thank our lead guide Alex, who took point position to lead group throughout the trip. I took “Sweep position”

We’ll see you next year’s bike ride.  “ A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL !! “

by Tom Ryugo, NSC Member

I showed up at the Corte Madera Community Center at 9:30 sharp – and nobody from NSC was there.  Thought I went to the wrong place or maybe nobody decided to bike.  Turned out people were just late.

Roland Lee was our fearless leader along with his son Alex, made sure everyone’s bike was up to snuff and then off we went. 

There were eight of us altogether – myself, Roland, Alex, Elaine, Gary, Carolyn, Xieng, and Dave.  Roland had said it would be a 2.5-hour ride.

Our route went south through Camino Alto Open Space and then over 101 through Strawberry and Belvedere.  Went over some slightly strenuous hills but nothing that would kill you if you use low gear.  Then it was down along Tiburon Blvd until we got to the Tiburon Ferry terminal where we stopped for coffee at Caffe Acri .

There was a classic car show going on Paradise Drive and we had to walk our bikes through.  Then resumed riding around Tiburon past multimillion dollar houses along the Bay.  Because of the car show that blocked traffic on Paradise Drive, there was virtually no traffic going through that part of Tiburon.  Eventually, the route flattened out or was downhill – which suited some of the riders just fine.

At the end of our ride, Roland suggested lunch at Starbird Chicken in the Corte Madera shopping center.  By then, it was 2 o’clock – so much for just 2.5 hours to ride!  The rumor was Starbird Chicken had the best chicken sandwiches in the world.  To be sure, the sandwiches are excellent.  After the long ride in the warm day, that hit the spot. 

Debbie Stewart, FWSA, VP of Int’l Travel

Greetings!

Now that we’re approaching the end of ski season and are looking towards adventure travel…

We are still accepting registrations for the FWSA 2024 Africa trip…tell all your friends and come join us!

I have attached the flyer and registration packet.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

by Armand Gutierrez, President

It’s June and the start of the 2024-2025 NSC season. Our recent elections resulted in several changes to the board – one board member “retired” and one board member is replacing the retired board member. Thanks to all of you that took the time to vote, and you can read the full election results in Karen Soo’s article.

NSC Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic

The NSC Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, July 21st, so mark your calendars. As usual the club will be providing beverages and a lunch entrée and you can bring a favorite side dish. Details will be on the Picnic Flyer.

2025 NSC Ski Week

The 2025 NSC Ski Week will be at Sun Peaks, BC from 1-8 February. So mark your calendar and start planning on a ski week to Canada’s second largest resort with 4,700 skiable terrain acres. Also, check your passport’s expiration date. Sports America has posted the Epic/Ikon links for the 2024-2025 season and are offering a 6.5% trip rebate if you purchase the passes from Sports America and go on the Sun Peaks trip:

Use this for Epic passes: https://www.sportsamerica.com/epic-nisei

Use this for Ikon passes: https://www.sportsamerica.com/ikon-nisei

Password: snow

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: Never confront seven men when packing a six-gun – Col. Sherman Potter

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Here are the results, 37 NSC members out of our 89 members voted (41.5 %).

Thank you to the 37 members who took the time to vote.

Congratulations to our Newly Elected Board Members for 2024-2025.

President – Armand Gutierrez

Vice President – Jeanne Katsuro

Trip Director – Karen Soo

Treasurer – Frank Chang

Newsletter Editor – Karen Soo

Membership Chairperson – NA

Board Members:

          Curtis Otaguro

          Joel Hayashida

          Roland Lee

          Jeff Honda

We want to thank Tina Woo who served on the Nisei Ski Club as Membership Chairperson for 5 years, and the board appreciated all her hard work and devotion to the Nisei Ski Club.

At our May Board meeting we discussed that there was no new Membership Chairperson nominated/elected, so Armand Gutierrez volunteered to assume that position with the Board’s approval. He has the experience with Mailer Lite, our new mailing and membership database program.

We are excited about having new energy on our Board to help us grow our club with new and exciting ideas for Ski and Social Events.

Congratulations again!

by Tina Woo, Membership

June marks the start of the 2024-2025 Nisei Ski Club season.  Beginning May, you can take advantage of the $5 discount if you sign up before June 8th. ( We’re extending the date for another week)

Download and complete the membership form here and mail form and check to Armand Gutierrez.

Membership Form

The 2024 ski season has been phenomenal with incredible snowfall history. With record storms many of the California resorts have extended their seasons.  You can ski at both Mammoth Ski and Palisades Ski Resorts through Memorial Day, May 27, 2024.

The board of Nisei Ski Club is continuing to meet monthly and discuss plans for this upcoming year.  We strive to provide community and camaraderie for our members. 

The Nisei Ski Club board is excited to announce several events scheduled for the balance of the year.  We have an event almost every month; from a Livermore hike in May, bike ride in June,  the annual luau picnic in July, a possible bowling event in August, a Mah Jong event in September, the Eastern Canada trip in October and a third annual November pickleball event. And, don’t forget Sun Peaks in January/February 2025!! Come and join us!

We look forward to seeing you at one of our events!

by Roland Lee, Board Member

Join Nisei Ski Club for bike ride around the Tiburon Loop on Saturday, June 15th, 2024

Bike riders are welcome to join the event. If you are not planning to ride, you can visit the 24th Annual Tiburon Classic & Exotic car show. There is also a Museum on the water front walkway path at the end of the car show. http://tiburonclassiccarshow.com/home/

The NSC bike ride, car show, and museum are all free.

We will meet for lunch after the bike ride. There are restaurants on the main road near the Tiburon Ferry.

Electric bikes can be rented at the Trek bike store next to CHP office in Corte Madera.  They cost $ 100.00 for 24-hours.

RSVP by Wednesday June, 12
Please let us know if you are a Bike Rider or Non-Bike Rider.
Email to Roland Lee Tiburonloop@niseiskiclub.org

See the attaché Flyer below –

by Karen Soo, Trip Director

Please join us on Sunday, July 21st at Las Palmas Park in Sunnyvale for our annual Nisei Ski Club Luau Picnic.

Time – 12:00pm – 5:00pm

You will receive your Evite invitation in July.

Please RSVP no later than July 18th, so we can order the right amount of food for the picnic.

NISEI SKI CLUB LUAU PICNIC INFO

Join us and meet your fellow members.