SATURDAY - May12, 2007

Colton Unity Day Regional

- by Karen Ray

Once again the chili and weather gods smiled on the Inland Empire for a chili cookoff. The high temperature was 79 with no wind, making ir very comfortable for the cooks to spend the day on the green grass of Chavez Park. The judges and scorekeepers were also very comfortable in an air-conditioned room in the adjacent community center. The Unity Day Celebration is a long-established tradition, bringing together the diverse ethnicity of the City of Colton with displays by City Departments and Services and, of course, the chili cookoff. The visitors to the event eagerly sampled the People's Choice chili provided by the contestants and voted for their favorites. Bands played and there was a petting zoo and other activities for the children.

Thanks to all who came out to help with this cookoff. Chief Judge was Bill Ray. Scorekeepers were Karen Ray and Mary Ellen Weber. Chairperson was Judy Clarke, ably assisted by her husband, Tom. Judges were Don Hammes, Dave Thomas, Armando and Patricia Sanchez, Mike Hulka, Sandy Hunt, "Dr." Dave Eiser, and Dan Caspersen. Cooks and judges all enjoyed the truly special "goodie bags" provided by our hosts.

.

At the end of the day, the winners were:

.

Salsa (16 entries):

3rd, $50, Patricia Sanchez

2nd, $100, Don Hammes

1st, $300, Red Brecke (hope he said a proper Thanks to Sachiko!)

.

Chili Verde (13 entries):

3rd, $100, Nibs Waters

2nd, $250, Bob Dyer

1st, $750, Mike Austin

.

People's Choice Chili:

1st, $100, Geraldine Villalpando

.

Traditional Red Chili (20 entries):

5th, Mike Ford

4th, Eileen Beaty

3rd, $250, Bob Dyer

2nd, $500, Jim Beaty

1st, $1,000, Mike Austin

.

Mike changed hats from the Chairman of California State last weekend to chili cook this weekend. Talk about getting it all out of the way in a hurry!

.

.

.

Springtacular Regional, Clinton, IL

Called in by Bob Hall

Salsa

1st Mike Goodman WI

.

Chili Verde

2nd Scott Barrett IL

1st Kelly Wessing IL

.

ICS RED

1st Darol Thomas IL

.

.

.

DC Chili Cookoff, Washington DC

Salsa

1st Dan Bauer VA

.

Chili Verde

1st Janie Bauer VA

.

ICS RED

1st Janie Bauer

.

.

.

Canaan Valley, WV's Smokin' In the Valley Cookoff

Chili Cooks: Grab your pots, secret ingredients and the family and head to Canaan Valley Resort for the 2^nd Annual Smokin' In the Valley Chili Cook-Off, May 18-20. The winner qualifies for the Last Chance Cookoff at the World's Championship Chili Cookoff in October!

.

Smokin' In The Valley is a district-level event and we are striving to become a regional for next year. We need your help to get there! Please take a look at your calendar for next weekend. If you can make it, contact David Cooper at Canaan Valley Resort at 800-622-4121 or cooperd@canaanresort.com.

.

Also, Canaan Valley Resort is offering a 50% lodging discount for competitors.

.

Thanks for your consideration and we look forward to seeing you in the highest mountain valley east of the Rockies on May 19!

.

.

.

GREAT BOWLS OF FIRE

Due to several conflicts with other events, the Chili Fest and Cook-Off that was scheduled for this Saturday, May 12, 2007 has been postponed to Saturday, September 29, 2007.
.
"Due to date conflicts with Mother's Day, both high school and college graduations, as well as several other events, I have decided to postpone our Chili Fest until later in the year," said Cheryl Spriggs, the event chairperson. "I have had numerous requests to reschedule from both chili cooks and those who want to attend, so in order to accommodate as many cooks as possible, we will move the date back to the fall."
.
With the ICS deadline for winning cooks to advance to the championship rounds being October 1, this new date will still qualify Ashland winners to advance.
.
"I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to those already involved, but we look forward to another spectacular event this fall!" Spriggs added. For additional information, or to register for the September Chili Fest, please contact Cheryl Spriggs at 606-831-0328.

.

.

.

Clarksville Mo. Regional

Please let everyone know June 2nd is coming soon. Let me know if I can do anything to help cooks get comfy In Clarksville. We expect a great crowd. Remember YOU ARE THE ENTERTAINMENT ! ! ; Come prepared.

Linda

.

.

.

============================

If you have articles for posting to Dicks Chili World BLOG, they can be emailed to GWTWChili@aol.com

============================

Tell your other Chilihead Friends about the BLOG and how it works.