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
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Join instructions
https://us06web.zoom.us/meetings/85477715888/invitations?signature=kgqFGstZIMx4ZSdIpYNebT0CC1eDD03OAkN7T8so5X4
March 12, 2026 Luncheon
Big SIR John Knapp welcomed 65 members to a great St. Patrick’s Day lunch and an interesting presentation on Great Whales by Richard Holmboe. We said goodbye to three members Bob Joyce, Richard George and Steve Cornaglia (Steve would have been 100 years old this month). And we welcomed three new members; Paul Bodenhamer, John Capeton and Paul Nelson.
Steve Fulton & Hinez Bodeker: Checking everyone in
Richard Holmboe
Three GIANT Whales
Richard Holmboe will present information on three giants of the sea – the gray whale (as big as a big bus), the humpback whale (bigger than a big bus) and the blue whale (bigger than two big buses). You will see how these giants of the animal kingdom survive by eating some of the smallest of animals. Then, you’ll learn of a tiny animal that eats the giant whale. All of this will be accompanied by a slide deck of pictures and a video that are guaranteed to amaze you.
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 Hiking Sirs,
As scheduled, on March 27, we will do the Mt Umunhum hike. Granted, it is a longer than the usual hikes but it is relatively an easy one because of its length. Because it is 7.1 miles long, the climbing is very gradual – almost flat in some places. The view from the top is just magnificent. Also, I was reminded of the recent time change this past Sunday, so we are going back to the Summer schedule 9:00 AM starting time. As we did in the past, we will meet at the second parking lot on Mt. Umunhum Road in South San Jose. If the parking lot is full, there are some parking spaces nearby on the roadside. Hopefully, the weather will be milder than predicted for the rest of this week. Please, let me know if you will join us. Call, text or email at mtomassian@sbcglobal.net
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
MARCH
Santa Teresa Golf Course
Santa Teresa Golf Course
Monday, March 23, 2026
$83.00.00 including Green Fee, Cart and Prize Fund
10:00 am First Tee Time
Format: 4 Man, 2 Best Ball
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 Mar 18 at 0729 and 0738
Branch goals for 2026:
- Increase total membership from 101 to 125