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: 929 5311 1620
Passcode: 298421
February 12, 2026 Luncheon
Big SIR John Knapp welcomed a happy group including two new members and three guests to a nice lunch of chicken breast with artichoke hearts and mushrooms, rice, mixed vegetables, salad and rolls. Tony Mazzucco then gave us an interesting update on the JWST (James Webb Space Telescope)
Art Andres & Jim Kono checking in
Tony Mazzucco – JWST Presentation
Tony will be sharing a brief overview and update of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the world’s most powerful (and expensive) space telescope, including its incredible engineering design and some of the amazing discoveries and images collected since it began its science mission in mid July 2022. Webb is designed to “look back in time” to see the most distant galaxies in the Universe, and study how stars and galaxies evolved over cosmic time. Webb also studies planets orbiting other stars looking for the chemical signatures of the building blocks of life, as well as examines the planets in our own solar system.
2026 BR54 Officers
Big Sir Hersh Brown installed the slate of officers and directors for 2026.
BIG SIR John D. Knapp
Little Sir Chuck McCoy
Secretary Ed Lynn
Asst. Secretary Rich Lordan
Treasurer Pierre Garabedian
Asst. Treasurer Mike Popovich
Directors Al Code, Ted Head, Chris Monahan, Charlie Raisor & Parker Willey.
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 Sirs,
As it always happens, all did not go as hoped. First, only Peter Catherwood showed up. Possibly because hikers have been confused when I went back to the original schedule. I will send the “real”schedule as soon as I can but before the next hike for sure. The weather was perfect – cool to start with and then perfect as we went. The trail was muddy in some areas, messy and slippery sometime. We saw other people but no fauna. At one point, we had to make a decision as to the direction we should take and we went the wrong way. We ended up doing only 2.4 miles instead of 4.2, we had planned. But we had enough exercise anyway, especially me who had to keep up with a long legged partner named Peter.
I am going to make my new year resolutions, even if it is already a little late. I am going to do a better job promoting hiking for the good of our members. At our age, walking is one of the best way to stay fit. Not all our hikes are real hikes. Some are just walks and most of us should be participating. You pick your hike/walk.
Our next one is on February 27 at the Martial Cottle Park located south of Branham Lane. It is a walk, all flat and it can be either 2 or 4 miles. It can also be longer or shorter. We have done this one a few times before and it was well attended each time. I will send a reminder next week. Meanwhile, spread the word, especially to the Sirs that have merged recently, and to your friends and neighbors.
Sir 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,
Attached please find the photo of our team last Wednesday.
We had a wonderful time and it was special because two sweet French ladies joined us to play: Christiana and Monique.
You can see them in the photo.
I won’t be able to join you today.
Enjoy!
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
Spring Valley Golf Course on February 23rd
Spring Valley Golf Course Milpitas, CA
Monday, February 23, 2026
Fee: $70.00 including Green Fee, Cart and Prize Fund
(No discount for walking)
Time: 10:30 am First Tee Time
Format: Net Score with Two Flights/Tees and CTP.
For the 2026 Area 11 Golf Tournament schedule click here.
For more images go to the golf events page.
No 2026 Area 11 Tournament
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 Jan 18at 0729 and 0738
Branch goals for 2026:
- Increase total membership from 101 to 125
- Merge Branch 125 into Branch 54