Kofl e0ub of Son DregoP.0. Box 22833

San Di ego, CA 92L92Ema'i1 -- info@koiclubsandiego.org

KCSD Web page www. ko'i clubsandi ego. org

FEBRUARY SHOW

February 18-20 ,2011

Activi$ Genter

Del Mar FairgroundsDel Mar

The President's GornerBy Matt Rhoades

THE KOI SHOW IS COMING! THE KOI SHOW IS

COMING!The Koi Show (February 18-20) is just

weeks away! There is strong call still going on forvolunteers for the show. So please step fonruard

and be a part of this wonderful event' Contact Bill

Thompson and/or John Svelan if you can help

out. Speaking of those two, we owe them a big

THANK YOU for all they have done to put togetherthe 2011 Koi Show. Thank you gentlemen for all

you have done.Here's what you can also do to make sure

the show is a success: (1) Please support the

show by: (A) Bringing fish to show (B) Shop the

show booths to support our vendors (C) Get theword out about our show (FREE ADMISSION/LOTS OF BEAUTIFUL-INTERESTING KOI). Ourshow is one of the premier koi events and drawsmany of the serious koi hobbyists together. Thereare always lots of nice koi there. I've heard wordof two 28-inch kohakus coming from Utah tocompete. (D) Walk around the show and answerKoi Club of San Diego -- February 2011

Set up Friday, Judging & Awards Banquet Saturday, Raffle drawing Sunday

any questions that may be raised by thegeneral public that attends the show. Many of"last years" knowledge-seekers are this years"Club members". Our overall goal is to raise theawareness of koi and the husbandry of koi (and

of course, have fun while doing that).January's meeting was a big plus-plus in

my books. John and Caron put on a great koi

get-together. lt had been a couple of years

since I had seen the pond (l saw it when thefiltration was exposed and the stone workhadn't been placed - The Emperor without his

clothes). That pond was "A-1". The food spreadwas awesome and Steve Drake gave abeautiful talk and presentation on selecting koi'

I have to say: a first-class operation all-around'Now on to my latest pond adventure' As

some may recall, I had added a couple ofbarrels as settlement chambers to my mainpond's filtration recently to help the mechanicalaspects of my filters. Well I learned a lessonregarding those barrels. I found out that: lf thereis a lot of rain (like we had on a certain date inlate December) my pond will overflow; lots' This

Continued on next Page- PRESIDENT

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PRESIDENT - Continuedwas not a problem in years passed because thewater would empty at the low point of my pondand drain to the surface drain in my patio. Notanymore; lt seems I have leveled my barrels tothe level of my pond; so now if there is a lot ofwater (like there was on a certain date inDecember); not only does water escape from the"usual place", but now it flows from barrels intomy pump pit. My pump's GFCI tripped the circuit,my pumps stopped pumping, and I returnedhome to find my pumps "swimming" in the pool I

had created for them.Thanks goes out to Bob Welsh for coming

to my aid and resurrecting my pumps back intoservice and talking me through this mess. I haveput into motion a new pump layout (with a sumppump incorporated into the pit) so that won'thappen again. On a good note, I upgraded my QTfilters without incident though!

Live and learn.SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!!

Notes from the Board

In the aftermath of the pre-Christmas rains,Laguna Koi Ponds in Laguna Beach was floodedon Thursday, December 23. The water was aboutfour feet deep around the sales tanks and 18inches deep within the store. Some of the fishcaught in the flood were carried on down towardtown. On Sunday, December 26, a gathering ofKoi supporters came together to help BenPlonski continue to dig out. Although wemanaged to excavate and clean the water gardenponds, and his staff had succeeded in cleaningthe taller tanks of medium to larger fish, there stillwas much to do.

Ben has been a consistent supporter ofKoi in Southern California both personally andthrough his shop. John Svelan and both Pierce'salong with many others from Orange County, LosAngeles County and even Palm Springs, movedmud and muddy plants and waterlogged pondsupplies both on the 26th and weeks after.

Ben gave us an update at our Januarymeeting at John Svelan's home. The building iscleared out, and empty, but the fish are doing finein their sales tanks.

Koi Club of San Diego -- February 2011

And we are sad to inform you that RisaHighwarden has passed away in the weekaround Christmas. The San Diego services willbe held at the Veteran's Memorial in BalboaPark on Saturday, January 29 at 1O:AM. lf youread this in time and can attend, please do so.Both Risa and her husband Dutch were veryactive members until Dutch's passing a fewyears ago. We have lost a couple of good Koifriends.

This month is the show. lf you have notalready volunteered for some part of the show,please call Bill Thompson at (760) 479-1447.While we can always use walk ons and put onsite hands to work, it helps to know we have thejobs covered.

There are jobs for everyone from thosewho simply need to sit still and have the visitorscome to them, to those with just a few hours onone day. This is your opportunity to give back toa group that has been there to support you withknowledge, advice and friendship.

Sig Porter particularly needs morephotographers for the show, particularly to coverthe general show itself, candid photos of theshow, preferably with faces identified, that canbe posted on our web site. Please check withSig (858) 755-3177, for the formatting of thepictures before you e-mail them to him.

There will be a training for photographerswho will be helping with the benching of the fishand taking identifying pictures of the fish at theshow on Saturday, February 4,1 PM at NormMeck's home. lf you are attending, please lethim know at (858) 452-1132.

Still more donations for the Showgeneral raffle include: two passes to the RubenH Fleet Science Center, four passes to the SanDiego Museum of art, a 3 hour whale watchingtrip for two from H & M Landing, $25 giftcertificate from Anderson's Nursery in Poway, Afamily pack of 4 passes for the MidwayMuseum, a coupon good for one free childadmission when an adult admission ispurchased, 3 certificates good for the ViejasHarvest Buffet for two, a $25 gift card from BigFive Sporting Goods, 4 tickets to BirchAquarium, a $20 gift card to Anthony's FishGrotto, 12 pond skimming nets & pond kits &Continued on next page- NOTES

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NOTES- ContinuedWater shades & Pond action cleaning packs fromJungle laboratories/United Pet Supplies, 4 postersets & 2f ee Shirts & koi food from BlackwaterCreek.

And a final show note is about parking.There will be a charge for parking during theshow. lf, however, you take the time to come inthe back gate of the fairgrounds you canpurchase a pass for the whole weekend byasking when you stop to pay. To get to that gate,go straight on Via del La Valle past JimmyDurante stop light and turn left at the entrancethere to the West of that intersection. lt is adownhill entrance and goes past the exercisetrack for the race course.

Looking forward from February, keep inmind the calendar at the back of the newsletter.March 19 will be the Cherry Blossom Festival atJapanese friendship garden in Balboa Park.They have asked us to have a display on that dayfrom 10 Am - 4 PM. Matt Rhoades (619) 224-1705, and Bob Welsh (619) 933-8350, arecoordinating. lf you would like to help, call eitherone of them.

April 9 & 10 (the '1Oth being the date of ourApril meeting) the club will be manning a table atthe Wild Animal Park on both that Saturday andSunday. No sales. Just the chance to talk topassing folks about our ponds and perhapsrecruit a few new members. Our hope is to splitthe weekend with the Water Garden Society sowe take care of Saturday and hey do Sunday.Admission to the park will be free on that day forthose that volunteer for a couple of hours, so ifyou are interested, please see Tamsie or AlPierce (619) 427-9008.

The same Saturday in April (April 9) will beour booth at Cuyamaca College's Spring GardenFestival- again simply manning a booth, nosales, sharing knowledge and koi enthusiasmwith the visiting public. Linda Pluth and JackChapman are going to be organizing the booth,more on the details later.

Saturday May 21, we will be holding ourFriends of Koi koi auction in Fallbrook atCalifornia Koi Farm. This is the place to find anew home for that particular fish who hasoutgrown your pond or changed pattern or just isone fish too many for your collection. There will

Koi Club of San Diego -- February 2011

be more details in the following months, butsave the date. This is one of the fund raisers forthe show and along with fish to sell, we will nedlots of help for the one day event. And whoknows, maybe you'll find that special fish you'vealways been looking for, and at a bargain priceto boot.

Finally, June will be our elections for anew Koi Club Steering Committee Officers. lfyou are interested in helping out by holding aposition on the board, contact anyone on theboard.

The Show Has Arrived!By Tamsie Pierce

Are you ready? You've signed up to helpout at the 24th Annual Koi Show, of course. Doyou think you have an idea of exactly what you'regetting into? Support of the club, giving back ofyour time to a group that has stood ready toshare knowledge and help with your passionfor these beautiful peaceful koi.

Well, lf you've volunteered to be a driverfor the Truck to bring carry the show equipmentfrom the Escondido shed to the show, pleasedon't do as a former member did and misjudgethe height of the truck when he backed it into hisdrive and took out all of his power, phone andcable lines. Ouch.

And if you've decided to help out loadingthe truck on Thursday morning. Keep an eye onthe weather. We'll be working in whatever theskies decide to give us. Cool and cloudy(perfect weather to have to work up a sweat),sunny and hot (there's the real sweating part),or rainy. We've had all of those on load out. Thebright spot is those working in the shed stayrelatively dry, forming a line to send out tanksand pipes and pumps and air line andhospitality goods and awards bags andsignage and water quality testing kit and raffledrum and measuring tubs and nets and tankcovers and the prior shows display kiosks anda whole lot of everything else.

Or maybe you're going to meet the truckat the Del Mar Fairgrounds, and, if themanagement is with us, we'll begin set up.Here the weather doesn't matter much for we'llContinued on next page- SHOW

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SHOW- continuedbe inside. Truck and all. Maybe even your cars.Here is where the fun begins... well, and work,but the feeling is relaxed. The Activity Center goesfrom an empty room to an organized space.

Somebody works with a piece of chalk anda tape measure to mark off where the tanks andwater lines go. The tank set up teams startputting the show tanks together and making themready for the water. You'll be using the "AnneMeck Stick" an invention by Norm Meck that hehas been known to auction off for over $50.00based on its fame, Anne's stick enables onewoman to do the work of four men in setting upthe tanks. An experience you ought to go throughas koi keeper. The single person part, of course.

Filling the tanks is actually some of the fun,for we connect to a fire hydrant and use a firehose to fill. A whole lot faster than using thehousehold lawn hose, believe me.

What doesn't get done on Thursday will becompleted on Friday when the rest of the set upcrew arrives, fresh from a night's rest . Opps.that's you again, isn't it. More chances to use TheMeck Stick and play with fire hose. The floor mayget a little damp, but not really wet with all thatwater present. We're very careful about that. TheFairgrounds appreciates our care. Now the partysupply people arrive as well, to set up booths andtables and the electrician to get power to all thevendor booths now being defined along the wallsby those stanchions and the drapes. There's a bitof a rush this day, however, we start acceptingfish at 5 PM and the tanks have to be ready for thecontestants. You'll have the opportunity to dropchemicals in the tanks to make the water safe forthe koi. A worthwhile experience just watchingNorm Meck work his magic. And he's alwayswilling to talk about what he's doing and why.Years ago when we ran the show (P.M. - PreMeck) we actually ran a filter on each of the tanksduring the show to keep the water clean andclear. Now the worst mechanical thing we do isvacuum up the fish droppings (which are fewbecause every entrant has fasted his fish for 2weeks before the show).

And all the auxiliary gear starts going uparound the edges of the show tank centerpiece.Admin.- which handles the raffle ticket sales andprizes, display of the show awards, information

Koi Club of San Diego -- February 2011

booth, distribution of the show booklet, and thecomputers for data entry, the fish check in, andawards assignment.

The floor definitely stays dry here with allthe computer and electrical cables snakingabout. The Entry area is a high concentrationarea with only a narrow window to check thefish in, attach proper fish photos to the correctfish, link the whole thing to tank number, fishnumber, and entrant. The pressure starts at 3PM on Friday, is over at 5:30 PM Friday, andbegins again early Saturday until the judgingtakes over. Then it's a matter of entering theresults from the judging.

After set up is a time for you to wanderabout and observe the fish that have comealready, make up your mind if the existingcompetition is sparse enough to have you gohome and catch that Utsuri in your pond forentry in the show, and time to wander about thevendors who have already set up shop on thesides of the show- some astute fish shoppingor the new ideas in equipment here this year.

And when everyone is ready to leave oursecurity takes over. One year Aqua UltraVioletintroduced a new filter they called the "Viper"and had a Viper vehicle on site. They hired aprofessional guard. Normal shows we simplyhave someone knowledgeable enough of koi tobe aware of the fish. There was one showwhere, despite a cover on each and every tank,a large fish jumped out and landed on top of thenetting, thrashing about, entangling his fins.The security people on site got him back in thewater safely. And he went on to win prizes.

Saturday morning the early morning guyshit the hospitality room, snag some donuts andgo at those tank covers to prepare the tanks forthe final influx of fish. lt all seems chaos for awhile, trucks and cars coming through with fishin boxes, fish in tanks, fish in coolers, whateverthe owner deems necessary for transportinghis fish. lt's quite fascinating to watch an ownerwith a truck mounted tank go fishing with his netfor the fish. One of our entrants from Texas oneyear had his boxed fish left on the tarmac at theairport and we had to do emergencyresuscitation immediately when he came in. Bythe way, it worked. More prizes.Continued on next page- ARRIVED

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ARRIVED- continuedBut the fish are not simply dropped into

our show tanks and left alone. lf the fish came inbags they are floated to adjust temperatures,Then released. Caught and measured andphotographed for the data entry people, andreleased and then caught and tubbed for thejudges to judge.

The truck and car traffic may clear outwhen the fish are all in their tanks, but the activityactually increases. Water quality is checked.Measuring and photographing is done, thejudges start to arrive and are gathered to receiveinstruction from the show Chairman and theHead Judge. The data entry folks are scramblingto get their lists and pictures together and printedout so the judges can actually find koi of a likesize and class. And once the judges start theirjudging there is usually a clustering of theowners and the curious who follow on behind tosee how their fish are doing and hear just whatthe judges have to say to one another about anyspecific fish.

And the show is underuyay. We now findtime to answer the general public's questionsabout the fish (how much do they weigh? Canyou eat them? How big do they get. Why is thisone so much more expensive than that one?)The information booth will be selling pins and Tshirts and raffle tickets and answering even morequestions. Busy being flexible like the year weactually ran out of raffle tickets and found analternate system that worked.

Saturday night is the Awards Banquet. Afterthe judges have finished, the data entry folkshave gotten it all together for the computers toorganize, the awards bags have been sorted andpacked, the vendors have done a brisk businesswith the visitors. this year we'll adjourn to KarlStrauss Brewery restaurant for the AwardsBanquet. We'll be the only group in the wholerestaurant and there is certain to be a story or twocome out of the meal. In years past we've had arowdy table at the banquet, a show winner whoseowner appeared to have tattoos displayed onboth legs, a koi thong auctioned off and ingeneral a whole lot of unforgettable moments.

lf you're one of the organized ones whohas gotten in hotel reservations you may returnacross the street from the fairgrounds to theKoi Club of San Diego -- February 2011

hotel, or drive home for a good night's rest.And Sunday, a quieter day to start out,

gets hectic at the end. At about 1 we will pack inthe general raffle and fish auction right beforereleasing the fish to be caught and packed(more vehicle traffic in the Center) and then teardown, repack the truck. Well, tear down andrepack the truck with a beer and pizza break inthe middle. Raining or dry we'll be inside. Thistime the floor does get -- more than damp aswe empty all the tanks into the drain lines setup and those leading out to the Fairground'sdrains.

On Monday, body, spirit and weatherpermitting we clean the tanks and then repackstorage with them. lt's a tiring job, but worth theeffort to be able to pack away clean knowingthat they will be ready for the show next year,sterilized and prepared.

Everyone's got their own favoriteanecdotes about the show. From the crazyquestions from the general public to watchingthe vendors set up or tear down, to the numbersand varieties of the fish themselves. The yearthe Board decided on one award one monthand changed their minds the next month. Theyear we contracted to use an outdoor space atthe Fairgrounds and ended up in O'BrienPavilion. The year we inhabited the old chickenbarn and contended with flies. The year wealmost didn't have a show because of anoutbreak of disease.

Come and join us and find someanecdotes of your own. I can guarantee you willhave a great time.

Beauer Greeft A0uatics?ond design.

consultation,

inetallaLion,

troubleshooling,

repairs,

deep cleaning,

sch e dul e d mainle n an c e.

lustin Beauel,|lwneltet: (6191277-79b3rax:(619125b.67 1a

e m ail : inlo @b e av er u e eka qu a.c o m

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KOI CLUB OF SA'V DIEGO24TH Annual Show

February 19 & 20, 201 1Ex h i h ito r P re- Reg i strati o n

Pre-Registration Deadline is February 1, 2011

AddressCity, State, Zipemail

ls this yaur first time entering Koi in a show?

Are you entering the Long Fin Class?

Tank Pre-Reg istration $50

Tank Regisfration After Feb t $65 $

(Regtsfiation fees include the first 3 fish, additional fish are $5 each.)

Nef Rental $20 $(Required unless yau bring your own)

Huge Raffle Tickets @ gt each $

Awards Banquet Tickets @ $nS each S($SO each after February 17 if available)Chicken Piccata Grilled Salmon

Total Enclosed $

Make Checks Fayable to KCSDSend this form, fish worksheet, and payment to:

Bill Thompson3453 Circulo AdornoCarlsbad, CA 92009

Koi Club of San Diego -- February 2011 page 6

KOICLUB OFFICERSPresident-

Matt Rhoades -- (619) 224-1705Vice President - Program

Paul Atkiss -- (858) 693-4125Vice President - Venue

Bob Welsh -- (619) 933-8350Secretarv

Phyllis Spoor -- (858) 292-4857Treasurer

Al Pierce -- (619) 427-9008Show Chairman - 2010

Bill Thompson -- (760) 479-1447John Svelan -- (858) 444-5669

WebmasterSig Porter

MembershipTamsie Pierce

PublicityLeland Helzer -- (619) 255-3788

NewsletterTamsie Pierce

Members at LargeSteve DrakeNorm MeckRoger PhillipsCindy GrahamLinda PluthGalen Hansen

UPCOMING EVENTS

-- (61e) 427-e008

-- (760)729-3649-- (858) 452-1132-- (858) 454-5070-- (760) 451-1968-- (618) 200-4146-- (619) 440-2035

2010February 17-Load truck at Storage in EscondidoFebruary 18 -20- Annual Show

Activity CenterDel Mar FairgroundsDel Mar

February 21 -Tank cleaning & return to storageMarch 13 - General Meeting - Mira MesaApril 9 & 10 - Display booth at Wild Animal ParkApril 9 -Spring Garden Festival-Cuyamaca Coll.April 10 - General Meeting - Tierra SantaMayl -General MeetingMay 21 Friends of Koi Auction - FallbrookJune 12 - General Meeting- VistaJuly 10 - General Meeting - BonitaAugust 14- General Meeting -

September 11 - General MeetingOctober 9 - General MeetingNovember 13- General MeetingKoi Club of San Diego -- February 2011

HELP LINEHaving a problem with your fish? Don't know

where to turn? Who 'ya gonna' call?KOI DISEASE

Jack Chapman (619) 669-0490PROGRAM SUGGESTIONS

Paul AtkissTO HOST A MEETING

Bob WelshFRIENDSHIP GARDEN FILTERCOORDINATOR

Linda PluthAKCA Rep

KCSD TREASURER'S REPORTBeginning balance

January 2011Income JanuaryExpenses January

Beginning BalanceFebruary 201 1

(858) 6e3-4125

(619) 933-8350

(619) 200-4146

Kristine Peterson (760)-966-1563

--(858) 755-3177

-- (61e) 427-e008$ 16576.46$ 5339.48$ 5243.68

$ 16672.26The January meeting drawing was $311.

PLEASE WELCOMENew and renewing members:Matthew DemerySandra DemeryMatt RhoadesJayma RhoadesCole RhoadesGrace RhoadesEmma RhoadesShirley WatkinsClark DicksonRolf HaasCarol CostarakisLeland HelzerThomas MoroscoLinda PluthAllen PluthBarbara Jenkins-LeePhyllis SpoorJohn SpoorNorm MeckSusanne Meck

page 7

Koi Club of San DiegoP.O. Box 22833San Diego, CA 92192

24th ANNUAL SHOWFebruary 18-20,20'11

Where: Activity CenterDel Mar FairgroundsDel Mar

When:February 17 - Load Truck - I AM - EscondidoFebruary 18 - Show set up - 8 AM - Del Mar

AcceptEntries-5PMFebruary 19 - Judging starts - 10 AM

AwardsBanquet-OPMKarl Straus Brewery Restaurant

February 20 - Judges' Discussion - 10 AMGeneral Raffle-1PMKoi Auction - 1:30 PMTearDown-3PM

February 21 - T ank CleaningReturn gear to storage

From San Diegol-5 to Via De La Valle. Head West to Jimmy

Durante Blvd. Activity Center is on right just insideJimmy Durante Gate of Fairgrounds.

There will be a parking fee.

Koi Club of San Diego -- February 2011