KCSD Blog

The President’s Corner By John Svelan

I hope everyone is enjoying this new revised newsletter format as much as our new Editor in Chief is having putting it together for you. Lew Hileman has taken on his new ‘volunteer’ job quite seriously and as you can see he’s doing a terrific job. Since the newsletter is now produced in color, the first run last month was definitely a learning experience in both delivery and cost. Since our Koi Club is a non-profit organization, your membership dues and our monthly General Meeting drawings make up the majority of our meager income so we have to watch our pennies. If it were up to Lew he would put out something equivalent to Better Homes and Gardens but that’s when we have to remind him of the non-profit thing. As I was often reminded in the Navy it’s always better to have a guy that needs his reins jerked back rather than a guy who needs a push forward and Lew is showing he definitely doesn’t need any coaxing to get thiso job done. Lew is definitely a guy who enjoys a challenge and we certainly want to thank him for taking on this one! Good Job Lew!

You and your fish are probably trying to figure out this weather as much as anyone else. Koi Jack said his pond got down to 47 degrees and his fish all lined up on the bottom in perfect order. Matt said his were also at the bottom with their noses touching and the group formed a perfect star. Of course the experts say you should stop feeding completely when the water drops below 50 because the fish begin to approach a state of hibernation or at least the koi’s metabolism does. Here in San Diego we don’t have to break the ice to check on our fish but this cold streak has reminded us and our fish that even in San Diego we do have a change of season. The good thing is we certainly save on food!

I hope most of you got a chance to attend last month’s meeting at the parent’s home of Justin and Nichole Beaver. We had a really good crowd of about 50 that enjoyed the beautiful back yard and awesome pond that Justin and his father John designed and built. Justin’s also is the owner of Beaver Creek Aquatics, a full service pond company, and he gave an awesome lecture on the products he uses and their effectiveness. While the guests checked out their beautiful fish and pond, Justin’s wife Nichole and his mother Roxi set up a wonderful spread of refreshments. Another highlight of the meeting was our own founder, Dr. Galen Hansen who gave a wonderful presentation on what fish to bring to the show and exactly what the judges were looking for. Of course Dr. Hansen should know since he has spent the better part of his life as an AKCA Koi Show Judge. Thank you Galen! Of course no meeting would be complete without a drawing where several lucky club members took home all kinds of koi related goodies including five beautiful baby fish from D & K Aquarium. Justin’s father John quickly adopted the hi fin shark! Next month there will be no General Meeting since it’s Show Time!

In closing and as you know this is the busiest time of the year for the Koi Club of San Diego since we are in the final planning stages for our upcoming 26th Annual Koi Show. I cannot even begin to tell you how many people and how many hours are being devoted this year to make it bigger and better than ever. Each year we strive to do better than the year before and I think you will be totally impressed this year. We encourage all of you to come out and join in the fun with our Show Chairman Matt Rhoades and all of us workers bees. No experience is required and On the Job Training will be provided! I hope to see you there and Keep Koing! John