Show Pix, 2007 ZNA SoCal . . .

[KoiCop]

More pics from Saturday:


.The only tank shot I have to post, this stunning Size 2 Showa (about 8") won the highly competitive Baby Champion Award. JR's 'cut flower' aphorism comes to mind -- its beauty is that much sweeter for its fleeting nature.
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.L John and Jolene down from NorCal to share the love; R my wife Brenda.
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.Joe Co: Grand Champion, Jumbo Champion & Best Baby. Not a bad day's work, eh?
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.Jamilla Tran and her son Kelvin, proud owners of the above Baby Champion.
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.Mark Whalen, perspicacious SoCal koi kichi.
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.Remember the rock band 'Toto' (http://www.toto99.com/)? Well she's married to one of the band members and this is their Maltese named 'Simon.' What a ham!
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.'Simon' goes Hollywood!
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.One of the Judging crews back at one of our tanks for a closer inspection of a contender.
L to R: Dick Thomas, Gary Chin, Don Kobashigawa, Vergil Hettick.
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.Another photo of the legendary Duke Nguyen.
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.Looking over the quadrangle and the tanks towards Gardena's City Hall. A lovely setting.
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(more to come)

[KoiCop]

Special Awards:

MAKC, Showa Size 2, Junichi Kayano
IKONA Koi Club, Kohaku Size 2, Don Chandler
Nishiki Friendship, Kawarimono Size 4, Loc Nguyen
Jimmy Inouye Award, Kawarimono Size 4, Larry Trudgen
Camellia Koi Club, Gin Rin B Non-gosanke Size 4, Laura McElwee
Show Chairman's Award, Gin Rin B Non-gosanke Size 4, Craig Chambers
Northern Midwest ZNA, Showa Size 4, Bruno Kudrecki
Charlie Seu Memorial Award, Shiro Utsuri Size 6, Lamson Bui-Tran
Tategoi Award, Sanke Size 6, Alan Stein
President's Choice, Showa Size 5, Chein Lin
ZNA SoCal, Utsuri Size 1, Marilyn Gladle
AKCA Award, Showa Size 7, David Tran
NorCal ZNA, Sanke Size 7, Frank & Nancy Morales

(more to come)

[KoiCop]

Pics from Sunday (yes, we're getting there, folks):


.Brenda ran her battery down on Saturday. Luckily, my grandson Joshua was there to pick up the slack and help out!
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.Bobby Lee, he of the 29 koi entered fame. Hang Loose, brah.
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.Laura McElwee, down from Bakersfield for her first Really Big Show. She took a Best in Size 2 and a Friendship Award (as well as numerous 1st & 2nds), so I think she did real well.
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.Alan Stein, ZNA SoCal Newsletter Editor, Judge Supervisor for the show and all-around bon vivant.
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.Surf Head Ned, 2nd year of supporting the show as a vendor. Thanks, Ned.
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.Vergil Hettick auctioning koi on the steps of City Hall as the show winds down.
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.Nancy Morales and her grandson Jonathan. Now listen up folks: I watched Nancy run the Show's computer operations for 3 days (and every other curve ball they threw at her) and she won Runner Up Champion, Mature Champion, the NorCal Friendship Award (as well as who knows how many 1sts, 2nds & 3rds) -- but the only time I saw her light up was when her grandson came on Sunday morning. And that should tell you something about what kind of person she is.
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.You get two pics of them 'cause I just couldn't decide which one I liked best.
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.Michael Chua (with the cut off sleeves) bagging and dragging 'em home. Michael has a fabulous collection of koi.
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.Bill Thompson, President of the San Diego Koi Club. Up for the day -- and I enjoyed having a nice chat with him concerning the future of the AKCA, its Judging Committee, KoiUSA magazine and what the Internet has brought (and can bring) to the hobby.
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(more to come)

[KoiCop]

And if you can bear with me, with this one last post I'll be done!


.Also up from the San Diego Koi Club were Tom Graham and his wife Cindy. Tom's the publisher of KoiUSA.
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.Kaz Takeda, long time power player in the koi & goldfish business.
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.Judge Gary Chin in his Sunday soft clothes, shooting some vids to take home.
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.Andy and Jamilla Tran, still basking in the glow of yesterday's big wins.
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.Linda Martin, a relative newbie but full of enthusiasm, questions and -- did I mention it -- enthusiasm?
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.Ben Plonski, Owner of Laguna Koi Ponds, long time supporter of the Show and a nicer guy you won't find.
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.On the right, Loc Bui. Don't think he had a tank this year, but he helped out in numerous ways.
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.Also in soft clothes on Sunday, Narita-san and Junichi Kayano taking a final look at David Tran's AKCA Award winning Size 7 Showa.
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.Ginger and Louie Hernandez. Louie was down for koi entry on Friday, Judging Team Leader on Saturday and the Koi Auction on Sunday. Can't run shows without guys like him and here in SoCal we're lucky to have Louie.
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.Chris Dishman, ZNA SoCal Board Member and one pooped puppie.
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That's all, Folks. And I can't wait 'till next year to do it again! Don

[Nancy M.]

[quote=KoiCop;79069]Pics from Sunday (yes, we're getting there, folks)
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.Nancy Morales and her grandson Jonathan. Now listen up folks: I watched Nancy run the Show's computer operations for 3 days (and every other curve ball they threw at her) and she won Runner Up Champion, Mature Champion, the NorCal Friendship Award (as well as who knows how many 1sts, 2nds & 3rds) -- but the only time I saw her light up was when her grandson came on Sunday morning. And that should tell you something about what kind of person she is.
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Don, Thank you for the pics of Johnathon, I was sooooo stressed out all weekend, and Johnathon just wiped all the stress away. Johnathon is the light of my life, I never thought I could love someone soooooo much. But that lil boy has got me wearing my heart on my sleeve.

[Super Kindai]

Hi, Don
Size 1 & 3 Kohaku were especially unique and it was tough but interested to judge.
I don't remember the exact numbers but there're about 15 Kohakus entered into Size 1
There were 7-8 Kohakus on Size 3 and all of them were pretty much high "Level" which was a rare case. .........Mr. Narita was impressed to encounter your Kohaku. Congratulation

P.S.) Although their last name is same. Mr.Narita/Judge has no relationship with " Narita Koi Farm, Japan"

[KoiCop]

thank you for the compliments -- they are very much appreciated.

And thank you for the outstanding work that you, and all the Judges, did last weekend. A Job Well Done.

[Tamianth]

Congrats Don! WTG! Some nice new babies there!

I heard you got to meet Linda! Very sweet Lady there and a really good friend! Oh my, this all looks like a really fun weekend & show!

My congrats to all the winners!

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tamianth Congrats Don! WTG! Some nice new babies there! I heard you got to meet Linda! Very sweet Lady there and a really good friend!

And, yes, we did get to meet your friend Linda. Enjoyed meeting her.