Redefine Retirement
SIR BR54 has a focus on retirement enrichment. We have activities that expand your experiences while you make new friends. We travel, play games, hike and enjoy interesting speakers while we enjoy lunch.
Live longer, live happier. Join SIR!
Monthly BR54 Member Lunch
JOIN US FOR LUNCH
SIR Branch 54 meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at the 3 Flames restaurant at 1547 Meridian Ave. at Hamilton Ave. in San Jose. The meeting will also be on ZOOM.
- 10:00 Executive Board Meeting
- 11:00 Social Hour
- 12:00 Luncheon
- 1:00 Speaker
- 2:00 Adjourn
If you cannot join in person, most meetings are on Zoom . You can view the presentations by clicking the links or images associated with the speakers on the Speaker Page.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92953111620?pwd=JhN1IKT5nHBxmLslO5qWfw59jmtMpX.1
Meeting ID: 854 7771 5888
Passcode: 635455
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,85477715888#,,,,*635455# US
Join instructions
https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/85477715888/invitations?signature=kgqFGstZIMx4ZSdIpYNebT0CC1eDD03OAkN7T8so5X4
May 14, 2026 Luncheon
Big SIR John Knapp welcomed a happy group of elderly guys and friends to a nice Chicken Stroganoff lunch. We inducted new member Brian Jacobs, enjoyed an interesting presentation by Walter Carney and Ernie Mendez won the attendance award. We also had some leadership changes: starting in July, Chuck McCoy is Big SIR and Mike Popovich is Little SIR, Larry Snapp is Asst. Treasurer and Chris Monahan is speaker Chair.
Steve, Jim and Heinz checking everyone in
Walter D. Carney, MAI Senior Managing Director Valbridge Property Advisors discussed services he has provided in a wide variety of complex civil litigation including real estate, land-use cases, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, estate matters, property taxation, contract disputes, partnership and corporate disputes, environmental lawsuits, professional negligence cases, construction defects, bankruptcy/creditors matters, failure to maintain, and fraud.
BARBECUE JULY 9, 2026
Almaden Lake Park, Arroyo Picnic Area
Arrive 11:00 AM
Price per person is $26.00
Send payment along with Your Name, Wife or Partner Name and Guest Names to:
Pierre Garabedian (408-246-8480)
3477 Rosedale Dr., San Jose, CA 95117-2576
Make checks payable to SIR BR 54
You can also pay at the SIR Luncheon but payment must be received prior to July 2, 2026
Questions may be directed to Ted Head 408-440-7137
For all the activity and images of the luncheons, go the Luncheon page.
TRAVEL
We have several travel opportunities in 2024 ranging from Alaska, through the Panama canal, Mexico and several trips to Europe..
To view travel opportunity details… Go to our Travel Page
Investment Club
Silicon Valley Retirees Investment Club (SVRIG) –Meeting Notice – We meet at 1 pm on the LAST Thursday of the month except November & December when it is combined on the FIRST Thursday of December.
Go to our Investment Page for meeting information the schedule.
Chess
Chess meets every Tuesday 12:30 – 3:30PM except holidays in the Community Center at 2175 Lincoln Ave, San Jose.
Go to our Chess page for more information.
Pool
Join Leo Pursley and Gary Cameron for a round or two of Pool following each SIR luncheon on Thursday. See either of them for more details at the luncheon. Meet at Burbanks Bites & Billiards 398 S. Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 408-320-2466
Parking in the rear of building.
2026 Day Trips
Where is the next Mystery Spot
Your Day Trip Team, Glenn & Chuck, are both resigning due to medical issues. We need a replacement so we can keep this fun activity. You can volunteer or send your ideas for replacements to Big SIR John Knapp. johndknapp1@yahoo.com
For more information and all images of Day Trips, go to the DAY TRIP page
Leo’s Bocce
We play bocce every Thursday at Almaden Lake Park with the exception of the second Thursday which is dedicated to the Sirs luncheon. We start at 10am and finish around noon. There is no need to RSVP, just show up around ten and we’ll fold you into the game.
Go to the Bocce page for more information, maps and directions.
If you have any questions, contact Leo Pursley at 408-997-7739, pursleypm@comcast.net.
Marcel Hikers
Dear Sir Hikers,
Those of you who joined me last Friday have to admit it was one of most perfect hike. The John Nicholas Trail was still damp from the earlier rain storms – no evidence of drought there. The pond at the end had still enough water to be called a lake. But the most important thing was the weather. It was slightly cool when we started and after walking the round trip 3.2 miles, we weren’t even sweating.
Joining me were the always reliable Ron Gaumont, Gregg Walters and his wife Ursula, Mike Thomas and his friend Bob, and new member Suresh Mohan and his dog. If the dog could talk, it would agree that this was a wonderful hike.
The next event, on June 5, it’s a 2-mile walk on the Los Gatos Creek trail from the Pruneyard towards the dam. It will be great for the members who don’t like strenuous hikes.
Again, we will meet at 9:00 AM by the restaurant in the middle of the back parking lot. Call me if you are going to hike and if you need more details. I can’t recall the restaurant’s name. There is a huge container in front. Hope more of you come along.
Marcel Tomassian (408)206-0532
P.S. I have attached a hiking schedule for 2026. Be aware that we can be flexible due to weather reports, requests from you, or conflicts with other events.
For more information about our Hiking Club along with pictures and information about previous hikes click Let’s Hike.
Snapp Walkers
Hello mild hikers and neighborhood walkers. Monday mornings we walk. The walk typically covers 2-3 miles of mild up and down streets.
During the summer we start at 8 AM at SIR Charles (Heck) Hecker’s place on Crisp Ave. just two and a half blocks east of Fruitvale Ave. near West Valley College.
If you’re interested let me know and plan on arriving between 7:45 and 7:55. We try to leave promptly at 8.
Larry Snapp
Petanque with Archie
Folks,
It’s time to play Petanque again.
Join us to spend time together and have fun outdoors in a beautiful Azule park in Saratoga.
Please find attached our team’s photos from last Saturday.
Cheers 😀,
Archie
Look at professional Petanque games (see YouTube link). It’s beautiful!
For directions and more information go to the Petanque page.
On Wednesday and Saturday you can join Archie at Azule Park for lively competition and lots of fun. For rules, park directions and prior event photos click Petanque.
Competition Golf
2026 State SIR Tournaments
Ben Gikis, Chair gikisben@yahoo.com
- Spring Fling 4/22-23
- Fun in Fairfield 5/20-21
- Spring Eternal 6/24-25
- Team Championship Aug TBD
- Individual Championship 10 TBD
For tournament details and sign up State SIR Golf
SIRS Area 11 Golf Tournament
APRIL
Monterey Pines Golf Club
Monterey Pines Golf Club, Monterey CA
Monday, APRIL 27, 2026 at 1108
BR54 Team Capeton, Fujiyama, Raisor and Walling came in 11 under par and tied for 6th place.
Team Handicap Modified SCRAMBLE.
For the 2026 Area 11 Golf Tournament schedule click here.
For more images go to the golf events page.
Golf is fun on Monday and Wednesday
To see the golf schedule, competition results and photo’s just click Golf.
Some of our members also regularly play golf at Bay View, Moffett Field and Spring Valley. Sometimes we play Dublin Ranch, Santa Teresa, Poppy Ridge, Canyon Lakes, Wente Vineyards and Cinnabar.
There is a challenge for all of us. But most of all we just have fun. Come and join us.
Our next tee time’s at Deep Cliff will be May 27 at 0729 and 0738
Branch goals for 2026:
- Increase total membership from 101 to 125