KOI CLUB OF SAN DIEGONEWSLETTERFebruary 2026 |
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For new Balboa Park Parking information, please scroll to the bottom to the email. |
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36TH ANNUAL KOI SHOW MARCH 7&8 2026 Del Mar Fairgrounds Bing Crosby Hall 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard Del Mar, CA |
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Koi Club of San Diego Meeting
February 8th, 2026
Social hour - 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm
Meeting begins at 1 pm
Potluck, bring your own chair
OUR HOST WILL BE
Lenore Wade
1405 Comet Court El Cajon, 92019 |
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STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
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Wednesday, February 11th at 7:00 pm (earlier if you are ordering food) ALL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME!
Dennys
2691 Navajo Road El Cajon, CA 92020
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Koi Club of San Diego Ponder Profile
by Lenore Wade, photography by Bill Newell
Lenore Wade |
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Since I try to host a meeting every year, this is the 10th article about me! Nothing has changed except that my fish and I have all gotten older.
I have lived in the San Diego area for a little more than 60 years. It is definitely home! Because of my husband’s military career, the family spent 3 years in Ohio in the 70’s. In the 90’s, US Air moved us to North Carolina where we lived until Joe’s unexpected death in 1999. Joe had lived in Japan and had a great love for Koi. So, we built a small pond with an even smaller waterfall in our back yard, and filled it with gold fish…in hopes that koi would eventually come. They never came, but the possums and raccoons feasted on our fish many times. It was a small beginning.
After Joe’s death, I moved back to the area, but the renters had ruined our home. I knew I had to find a new place. With the help of a friend who was also a realtor, I found my present house which is on the biggest property on our cul-de-sac. Before I even bought the land, I knew eventually I would have a koi pond.
A little over a year after moving back, I decided that I no longer wanted to teach at the high school; I needed a change. So, at the age of 59 1/2, I joined the Peace Corps and went to Cheboksary, Russia. After my first year, the Russian government became “unhappy” with us and closed the program. I was not ready to give up on teaching the university students who wanted to learn. For the next 12 years, I supported myself and lived the Russian way of life. I even learned to enjoy what a real winter was like, even though I never mastered the art of walking on ice! In April 2014, I was “asked” to leave the country. I have never been back, but my friendships have endured. It was an adventure I will never regret.
Twelve years ago, I had a pool built, and at the same time, a hole was dug for a pond. In 2015, the planned pond materialized with the help of my two sons-in-law and our beloved member Dean Strasser. The boys have continued helping with the weekly water change and any necessary repairs. It is a family pond with much loved fish who each have a name, thanks to the grandkids. Some fish are in better shape than the others, but they are all loved. |
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From the President's Pond
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First meeting of the 2026 was a doozie.
As we kicked off the new year, our January meeting
set an exceptionally high bar. We were graciously welcomed into the amazing
home of Dan Goese and Monika Walch. Situated on a beautiful golf course, it was
what spanned the length of the front yard that truly took everyone’s breath
away. The property features an incredible 85-foot-long koi pond that is,
without question, the most unique pond many of our members have ever seen. From
its sheer scale to its thoughtful design, it sparked nonstop conversation and
admiration throughout the event.
The setting alone would have made the meeting
memorable, but the hospitality made it even better. Everyone enjoyed great food
and the chance to relax (with about 100 options for seating), share stories,
and connect with fellow koi enthusiasts in a truly special environment.
Meetings like this remind us how fortunate we are as a club—not just for the
ponds we get to see, but for the friendships and generosity within our
membership. I, along with Rick, am waiting for the poker game invite.
Adding to the day was an informative koi history
lesson from Koi Jack, who took us on an engaging journey through the origins
and development of koi. His knowledge and storytelling brought valuable
perspective, especially for newer members. A huge thank you to our host, and to
everyone who attended that made our January meeting such a strong and inspiring
start to the year.
Volunteers Needed for the March Koi Show
As we get closer and closer to our annual Koi Show on March 7 & 8, we are
officially seeking volunteers. This event is the highlight of our club’s
calendar, but it takes a lot of hands to make it run smoothly—from setup and
registration to hospitality and teardown. If you can spare a few hours, please
consider signing up. Every bit of help makes a big difference, and volunteering
is a wonderful way to get more involved and meet fellow koi enthusiasts. Reach
out to Matt or Jill to get a spot.
Until
next time, keep your ponds clear, your koi happy, and your butt in a chair
enjoying both!
Warm
regards,
Cory Burke
President, Koi Club of San Diego |
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DECEMBER MEETING PHOTOS
Dan Goese and Monika Walch
by Jeanette Newell
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Rick Siem and Linda Sawin
WELCOME BACK RENEWING MEMBERS!
Frank Cannizzaro Pat Kelly Lenore Wade
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KHA KORNERby "Koi Jack" Chapman |
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We are so close to the annual show I thought I would give it some of my personal thoughts for this month’s article. You know it is the one thing our club does each year to advance the hobby amongst ourselves and the general public, which is where our membership comes from. It is the major KCSD event that each member should consider giving a little of their time to help complete this really fun event, for your time is truly needed in sharing the multitude of tasks that have to be completed. As in most types of clubs a few members carry the majority of the load and from time to time some key members can just get burned out. Our annual koi show is that kind of event, but with the help of a larger part of the general membership it’s just more koi fun for everyone. You do not need to be a koi expert to assist in many of the tasks and it’s downright enjoyable and hobby educational for all KCSD members. I get to look at hundreds of koi (show entrants and vendor), talk koi stuff (koi and pond) non-stop for three and a half days – just a piece of heaven for me HA HA. And, I always go away very tired but thankfully smarter about koi hobby related stuff. So call the show chairman/see him at the February club meeting and pick a few hours or a day or the entire weekend and come have some koi fun with your fellow KCSD members. If you are a koi hobbyist you owe it to yourself, so see ya at our 36th Annual KCSD Koi Show. Oh, and maybe take in the other events at the fairgrounds that weekend.
I always like to encourage KCSD members to consider entering their koi in the show and what an experience it is; it’s just another way to support the club and the hobby. Most of us are not competing for the major awards (13 Champions) but there are lots of awards for Best in Size (18 total) and Best in Class (20 total) to be had by anybody. You can even buy koi from the vendors and add them to your show tank on Friday evening. I know a club member who got a show tank and just put 7 small koi (under 12 inches) all bought from the show floor vendors and six of the seven won awards. Time after time I hear our and other koi club members say how much they enjoyed bringing their koi for the first time to a koi show – me included.
It’s NOT all that hard. So, go look at your koi, think of the few you would bring if you decided to register for the show. Look up the registration form on our club web page. Estimate the size of your koi on the fish load work sheet, and do the simple math at the bottom – if your total is less than 100 points then you only need one show tank, and you may have room to buy a koi at the show. Complete the cover sheet and I can speak from experience that the awards banquet is just a lot of fun and koi-items raffle – not the stuffy event you might expect.
Yes, you will need to net your koi and put them in a bag or transfer tank and transport them to the show on Friday afternoon or evening. Get help from friends or other koi club members and if only a couple koi from each member share a tank at the show that is OK if you are alright with that idea.
Some general ideas to think about:
Don’t feed your koi for 5 or 6 days before the show.
If you don’t have plastic bags – you can buy them at the January and February meeting.
Don’t forget you need good heavy rubber bands, included if you buy your bags from the club.
I suggest one koi over 20 inches per large bag.
I suggest 2 or 3 koi for 12 to 18 inches per large bag.
I suggest 4 to 5 per large bag for 6 to 11 inch koi - again a large bag. No Koi under 6 inches.
This is with 100% pure oxygen added to each bag, but if you don’t have pure oxygen then not so many koi per bag and DO NOT blow air from your mouth; just quickly close the bag to get some air trapped in the bag. I’ve been known to add a little (couple caps full) of whatever de-chlor you’re using for your water changes to the bag to bind the ammonia expressed by the koi on the way to the show. The bagged koi should be transported in a sturdy cardboard box or a picnic cooler. Darkness relaxes the fish and it should be fine for up to a couple hours with our expected cooler water temps for that time of year. Also, when transporting your koi put your containers horizonal/sideways in your vehicle so when breaking or accelerating you don’t injury a nose or tail of your show koi. When you arrive at the show advise the check-in desk that your koi do not have 100% pure oxygen in the bag and how long your fish has been in the bag.
There have been several articles written in the old Koi USA magazines about prepping and taking koi to a show and are all well worth reading. As always more left unsaid on this subject than provided here, but hope to give you some things to consider and SEE YA AT THE SHOW!!
Yes, this is mostly a repeat updated article from the past now for 5 years.
r/koi jack |
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PLEASE VISIT OUR APPAREL SHOP!THANK YOU JAMIE KANES FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS! |
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Koi Person of The Year 2025 Jill Rhoades
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Newsletter editor/ Webmaster: Julia Schriber |
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Membership Chairman: Jill Leach |
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Koi Health Advisor/
Librarian: Jack Chapman |
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Club Historian: Dr. Galen Hansen |
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Correspondence Secretary: Shirley Elswick |
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Japanese Friendship Garden Liaison: Linda Pluth |
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Koi Health Advisor/
Water Quality: Jack Chapman |
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To Host a Meeting: Tony Martinez |
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To Submit an Article: Linda Pluth |
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Program/Activities Suggestions: Matt Rhoades |
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NOTICE
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Parking Rates
Paid parking lots within the Balboa Park Cultural District will be enforced daily from 8 am to 8 pm with the exception of the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Discounts available for verified City of San Diego residents. Click here, for more information regarding City of San Diego residents discounts.
Level 1 Parking Lots: Verified resident rate: $5 for up to four hours; $8 full day; Nonresident rate: $10 for up to four hours; $16 full day
Level 2 Parking Lots: Verified resident rate: $5 per day; Nonresident rate: $10 per day
Level 3 Parking Lot: Verified resident rate: First three hours free; $5 full day; Nonresident rate: First three hours free; $10 full day
*Parking fee payments in lots within Balboa Park may be made at meter kiosks. However, to receive the City resident discount in the parking lots, users will have to register online and purchase parking in advance.
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Level 1 Parking Lots:
- Alcazar Parking Lot
- Bea Evanson Parking Lot
- Casa de Balboa Parking Lot
- Palisades Parking Lot
- South Carousel Parking Lot
- Space Theater Parking Lot
- Organ Pavilion Parking Lot
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Level 2 Parking Lot:
- Federal Parking Lot
- Marston Point Parking Lot
- Pepper Grove Parking Lot
- Upper Inspiration Point Parking Lot
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Level 3 Parking Lot:
- Lower Inspiration Point Parking Lot
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The closest parking options to the Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum are the Organ Pavilion Parking Lot, along with the Palisades and Federal Parking Lots, all within walking distance. For added ease, the Balboa Park tram also stops near each of these locations, providing a simple and accessible way to reach JFGM.
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Additional Information
ADA Accessible Parking
Parking will continue to be free, with no time limit, at parking meters in and near Balboa Park for those with a Disabled Person license plate or placard. Free ADA parking will also be available in the parking lots while parked in the blue parking spaces marked for disabled parking.
Metered Parking
Meters will be installed on roads within the park including Balboa Dr, El Prado, Juniper Rd, Presidents Way, Quince Dr, Zoo Dr and Village Pl. There will also be meters on some adjacent roads including Sixth Ave, from Elm to Upas streets, and Park Blvd, from Village Pl to Presidents Way. Meter rates will be $2.50 per hour, up to $10 a day and will be enforced between 8am and 8pm daily.
Parking Passes
Monthly, quarterly, and annual passes are available for purchase for frequent Balboa Park visitors. Discounted parking is available to verified residents of the City of San Diego. Each virtual parking pass will apply to one vehicle. Use they City’s Balboa Park payment portal to purchase monthly, quarterly, and annual parking passes, and also to register in advance as a verified resident of the City of San Diego in order to receive discounts on parking passes and daily rates.
Balboa Park Tram
Free tram service will continue to serve visitors to the Balboa Park Cultural District. All trams are equipped with ADA-accessible ramps. For more information, click here.
With stops in or near four parking lots (Alcazar Parking Lot, Organ Pavilion Parking Lot, Palisades Parking Lot, and Upper and Lower Inspiration Point Parking Lot), the free Balboa Park Tram loops around the Cultural District making 5 stops throughout the day to get you within a 10-minute walk to many of the Cultural District’s most popular destinations. Trams operate daily and leave from the Inspiration Point parking lot at Park Boulevard and Presidents Way every 10 to 15 minutes, from 9 am to 6 pm.
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